PHARMACISTS AS HIV AIDS INFORMATION RESOURCES - SURVEY OF ALABAMA PHARMACISTS

Alabama pharmacists were surveyed by researchers from the University o f Alabama at Birmingham's School of Public Health in collaboration wit h investigators at the Schools of Pharmacy at Auburn University and Sa mford University as part of a statewide pharmacists' demonstration pro ject to mobilize pharmacists and pharmacy locations as information res ources for HIV/AIDS education and prevention. The objectives of the su rvey were to: (1) establish a baseline of knowledge and attitudes amon g Alabama pharmacists about HIV/AIDS; (2) to assess Alabama pharmacist s' willingness to assume the role of HIV/AIDS information resources in their communities; and (3) to identify perceived barriers to assuming the role of information resources. The results of the survey were use d in the development of an educational intervention program and will b e used subsequently to assess the impact of the implementation of the Alabama demonstration project. Findings from this project will serve a s a basis for development of a nationwide project as part of a collabo rative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio n's National Partnership Program and the Foundation of Pharmacists and Corporate America for AIDS Education.