PATIENTS' PREFERENCES TOWARD THE GENDER OF PHARMACIST IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN AL AIN, UAE
Keywords:
Gender, Pharmacist, Community pharmacy, United Arab EmiratesAbstract
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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References
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