Pharmacy students’ awareness of LGBT people and related pharmaceutical knowledge levels

Abstract

Background and Aims: Historically marginalised by the health care staff, the disproportionate prevalence of health issues among LGBTpeople and cultural biases can often be overlooked by many practitioners. Methods: This study aimed to enhance the awareness and knowledge of 4th and 5th year pharmacy students, who are rapidly progressing towards becoming future health care professionals, regarding health issues faced by LGBT people. We conducted a study in January-February 2024 in the form of an e-survey comprising demographics (Section 1), Hudson-Rickett Homophobia Scale (Section 2), and drug knowledge level (Section 3). Section 3 consisted of 19 multiple-choice questions divided into three categories: general illnesses (6 questions), hormone therapies (6 questions), and drug interactions (7 questions), with participants directed to select appropriate responses. Pre- and post-test correct answer rates were compared. Results: A total of 140 students participated, with 53 from the 4th year and 87 from the 5th year. It was found that 28.6% of participants were identified as homophobic, with a higher percentage observed in males (45.5%) than in females (23.6%) (p=0.043). According to Poisson regression analysis, abeing acquaintedwith an LGBT individual was associated with 1.587 times decrease in the Hudson-Rickett Homophobia Scale score (p<0.001). Evaluation of correct responses to questions measuring drug knowledge revealed an increase in the mean (SD) number of correct answers from 10.31 (2.21) pre-test to 12.39 (2.64) post-test (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study highlights inadequate education on LGBT health issues, the prevalence of homophobia among more than a quarter of students, and insufficient drug knowledge levels, yet a significant improvement was observed with the provision of brief information.

Keywords

• Transgenders
• attitude
• pharmacotherapy
• public health
• side effects

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