PATIENTS' PREFERENCES TOWARD THE GENDER OF PHARMACIST IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN AL AIN, UAE

Authors

  • Muaed Jamal Alomar College of pharmacy, Al Ain University of Science and Technology, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Abdallah Abu Mellal Al Ain University of Science and Technology

Keywords:

Gender, Pharmacist, Community pharmacy, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Objectives: to explore customers' preferences toward gender of pharmacist in community pharmacy in Al Ain area, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Also, to study the effect of different socio-demographic determinants on their choices.

Methods: A cross sectional survey has been carried out among 500 adult individuals randomly selected from Al Ain city, UAE.

Results: many factors were taken into consideration in this study including gender, level of education, employment status and nationality. Sub analysis of the results has shown a statistically significant difference in choices between male and female participants. In general, almost half of participants are neutral toward the gender of pharmacist. Most of males lean toward no preferenceâ€, which is significantly higher than females same choice (55.1% VS 44.7% respectively, P = 0.029). Females' preferences toward the same gender service were significantly higher than male participants (46.2% VS 30.8% respectively. P<0.001). Level of education has a slight impact on participants' choices. Finally, employed participants were more neutral toward the gender of pharmacist compared to unemployed participants.

Conclusion: Customers' preferences toward the gender of pharmacist in community pharmacy in Al Ain area were significantly different between males and females. Female customers are significantly more appreciative to same-gender pharmacy services compared to male customers.

 

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Author Biography

Abdallah Abu Mellal, Al Ain University of Science and Technology

clinical pharmacy

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Published

01-09-2015

How to Cite

Alomar, M. J., and A. A. Mellal. “PATIENTS’ PREFERENCES TOWARD THE GENDER OF PHARMACIST IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN AL AIN, UAE”. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 7, no. 9, Sept. 2015, pp. 281-5, https://journals.innovareacademics.in/index.php/ijpps/article/view/6942.

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Section

Original Article(s)