Feasibility of Counseling for HIV Testing by Pharmacist in Quality Drug Stores, Bangkok Metropolitan, Thailand

Abstract

Blood testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a process leading a person to know their HIV status, which will be useful for preventing and reducing transmission of HIV. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of counselling for HIV testing by pharmacist in quality drug stores and investigated the related factors. One hundred and sixty (160) pharmacists were sampled and data gathered by a mailing self-reported questionnaire. Spearman rank correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis were used for hypothesis testing at the significant level was set at 0.05. Results showed that the feasibility of counselling for HIV testing average score was 47.7 (SD=20.5) out of 100; and 60.0% of the partici-pants rated feasibility of counselling for HIV testing scored more than the mean score. The acceptability and the readiness for offering the service were at a moderate level, with percentage of mean 72.6% and 63.3%, respectively. Using multiple linear regression analysis to adjust the confounding factor, it was found that acceptability of HIV counselling, training of counselling for HIV testing and readiness of offering the service were statistically significant factors in the model predicting feasibility of counselling for HIV testing score. They predicted the feasibility of counselling for HIV testing scores of 30.5%. In conclusion, the findings suggested that acceptability of HIV counselling and counselling training on HIV testing may be the key factors for developing a policy to promote participation of pharmacists in HIV counselling and testing.