03661nas a2200229 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260001800189300001200207490000700219520297000226653001203196653001403208653001503222653001303237653001803250100002503268700002903293700002903322700002003351856006003371 2021 eng d00aPerception of Pharmacists about Pharmacy Infection Control in Saudi Arabia0 aPerception of Pharmacists about Pharmacy Infection Control in Sa cDecember 2021 a160-1680 v103 a

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore the perception of pharmacists about pharmacy infection control in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this crosssectional study, we aimed to explore the perception of pharmacists about pharmacy infection control in Saudi Arabia. We used a self-reported electronic questionnaire and distributed it to pharmacists from interns to consultants and specialists in Saudi Arabia. The survey collected demographic information of the responders and their perception of pharmacy infection control. In addition, we analyzed the barriers that prevent the implementation of pharmacy infection control in pharmacy practice. We used a 5-point Likert response scale system with close-ended questions to obtain responses. The data were collected through the Survey Monkey system and analyzed with the use of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel (version 16) software. Results: A total of 435 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Of them, 212 (48.96%) were female, and 221 (51.04%) were male responders, and there was no statistically significant difference between them (p=0.665). Most of the responders were in the age group of 24–30 years (151 (34.87%)) and 36–40 years (101 (23.33%)), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p=0.000). The majority of responders held Bachelor in Pharmacy degree (281 (64.75%)) and Master in Pharmacy degree (94 (21.66%)), and Diploma in Pharmacy (90 (20.74%)). The average score of physician perceptions of pharmacy infection control was 3.47. Furthermore, high scores were obtained for the element “the system in my healthcare institution including policies and procedures related to pharmacy infection control is good at minimizing the occurrence of infection-related problems inside or outside pharmacy” (3.96) and “the pharmacy infection control implementation has led to positive changes for patients and healthcare institution” (3.83). The average score for the element “perceptions of barriers that prevent you from implementing pharmacy infection control” was 3.39. In addition, high scores were obtained for the elements “Level of clinical knowledge of pharmacy infection control” (4.10) and “Uncertain association between the pharmacy infection control and the drug-related infection” (3.65). The scores for single-test reliability analysis for McDonald’s ω was 0.838, Cronbach’s α was0.837, Gutmann’s λ2 was 0.849, Gutmann’s λ6 was 0.910, and Greater Lower Bound was 0.960. Conclusion: The perception of pharmacy infection control in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was found to be satisfactory. Therefore, we need to implement and provide periodic education and training in pharmacy infection control in Saudi Arabia to improve the perception.

10aControl10aInfection10aPerception10aPharmacy10aSaudi Arabia.1 aAlomi, Yousef, Ahmed1 aAlanazi, Ghudair, Tashan1 aMuwainea, Hussa, Mubarak1 aAlshehri, Razan uhttps://ijphs.org/article/2021/10/4/105530ijpcs20211022