Adverse drug reactions reporting among nursing staff and students: a validated questionnaire based knowledge, attitude and practice study

Abstract

Background: Lack of knowledge regarding pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting among healthcare providers have been identified as major factors for under reporting of ADR in developing countries. Hence this study was planned to assess the knowledge and attitude of nursing faculty and students towards ADR reporting and also to determine the barriers to reporting ADR.Methods: A validated questionnaire based cross sectional study conducted among the nursing faculty and students in a tertiary health care center. Data was assessed by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 22.Results: The composite score on knowledge on ADR reporting was found to be moderate among nursing staff, GNM and BSc nursing students. The knowledge on burden due to ADR was found to be poor among all the three categories. Around 70% of all the respondents were of the opinion that ADR reporting by one person can make a significant difference to the community. More than 80% of nursing staff and GNM students opined one should have a suspicion of possible ADR during treatment. Majority of the nursing staff were in favour of mandatory and voluntary ADR reporting in the hospital.Conclusions: The nurses were only moderately aware of pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting. Though the attitude towards ADR reporting was adequate, our study has shown that the actual practice of ADR reporting is unsatisfactory. Hence, it is essential to include pharmacovigilance training in the undergraduate teaching programs of nurses to promote reporting of adverse reactions.