Theory Based Factors Related to Perceptions of Professional Commitment among Pharmacy Students in west of Iran

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 pharmacy students in Kermanshah University of medical sci-ences in the west of Iran, during 2014. Participants were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the theory of planned behavior components. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using bivariate correlations, t-test, and linear regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. The mean age of respondents was 22.3 years [95% CI: 21.9, 22.6], ranged from 20 to 28 years. The mean score of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and professional commitment were 53.27, 19.23, 18.69, and 33.80, respectively. The results showed that professional commitment was correlat-ed with the positive attitude (r=0.506) and subjective norms (r=0.365), and perceived behavioral control (r=-0.213). Our findings showed the three predictor variables of (1) attitude, (2) subjective norms, and (3) perceived behavioral control accounted for 26% of the variation in professional commitment among pharmacy students. In addition, attitude toward professional commitment was the most influential predictor on perceptions of profes-sional commitment.