Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Northern Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute significantly among underlying reasons of morbidity and mortality in the health-care system. ADR reporting is the core of pharmacovigilance program but still insufficient reporting by health professionals exists in various part of our country. Aims and Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of undergraduate medical students about ADR and pharmacovigilance. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Questionnaire was comprising 21 questions to evaluate the KAP of pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and analysis of variance test was applied for statistical difference between the groups. Results: One hundred and eighty-six students participated in the study. The average score of 2nd year, 3rd year, and 4th year for knowledge was (4.50, 5.15, and 4.59) and for attitude was (5.37, 5.70, and 5.59) and for practice was (1.14, 1.78, and 1.36). There is a significant difference in average score between groups for knowledge and attitude, but not for practice. They have higher attitude and knowledge, but poor practice regarding pharmacovigilance. Conclusion: Respondent of the study was not completely aware of pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting. There is an increased need to create awareness and to train students about pharmacovigilance.