ABUTH Pharma Journal (2023) · 2023
Odiba et al.
Background: The aim of pharmacotherapy is to optimize patient care by using safe and effective medicines with minimal side effects and no toxicity. However, this goal is not always achieved particularly when adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurs. Globally, knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance has enhanced health-care systems in recent times. However, there are still limitations in some regions. Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting and pharmacovigilance activities among healthcare workers in healthcare facilities and pharmacies in Zaria, North-west Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 453 health workers using pretested and validated structured questionnaires. The healthcare workers were recruited from two tertiary and two secondary healthcare facilities, twelve primary health-care centers and twenty-three community pharmacies respectively. Data on participants knowledge and practice of ADR reporting were collected and the results analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Chi-Square test) and P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 453 respondents, male/female ratio was 1:1.1, 62% heard knowledge of pharmacovigilance though only 29% correctly defined it. Participants were mainly Nurses (39.5%) and Doctors (25%). About 75% knew the meaning of ADR reporting, 54% knew about existence of PVG in Nigeria and 35.32% agreed that all workers should report ADRs. Only 40% agreed that there was an existing reporting system and 65% send reports to pharmacists. Gender, age, profession of respondents, years of practice and previous training were all strongly associated (P = 0.0001) with level of knowledge of ADR reporting and PVG activities. The main reasons for low ADR reporting by the professionals were Ignorance (63%) and negative perception (46%). Significant association between participants knowledge (P=0.0001) and level of practice (P<0.05) of ADR reporting with the levels of healthcare centers where they worked respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that an appreciable number of respondents had sufficient knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance. The study recommends that stakeholders should intensify efforts in strengthening pharmacovigilance practice.
Volume: Vol. 1
Issue: No. 1
Pages: pp. 37–45
Year: 2023
Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting is central to pharmacovigilance (PVG), but under-reporting remains common even where reporting systems exist, particularly in developing countries.
A cross-sectional survey of 453 health workers across tertiary and secondary hospitals, primary health centres, and community pharmacies in Zaria assessed knowledge and practice of ADR reporting using validated structured questionnaires.
While 62% of respondents had heard of pharmacovigilance, only 29% could define it correctly, and just 40% were aware of an existing reporting system at their facility. Gender, age, profession, years of practice, and prior training were all strongly associated with knowledge of ADR reporting (p=0.0001). Ignorance of the reporting procedure (63%) and negative perception (46%) were the main reasons cited for low reporting rates.
Knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance were only moderately adequate overall, and stakeholders should intensify training to strengthen ADR reporting culture across all levels of care.