Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Nurses towards Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drugs Reactions Monitoring and Reporting: Cross-Sectional Study in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine nurses' current knowledge, attitudes and practices towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions monitoring and reporting.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The target population 154 nurses who work in Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The sample size was calculated by the “World Health Organization” online sample size calculator. A well-structured questionnaire on adverse drug reactions reporting was used for data collection. The data was analysed by using SPSS version 25. The Pearson correlation test used to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding adverse drug reactions. Pearson correlation at p <0.05 consider as significant. The study results display in tables and charts.

Findings: The study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions and reporting. 56.5% of nurses had a concept of pharmacovigilance. The 39.6% know the voluntary reporting system of adverse drug reaction. Only 36.4% nurses responded agree for policies and procedures should be developed for monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reaction.

Unique Contribution To Theory, Practice And Policy: This study is a way of improving pharmacovigilance programs in the country, public awareness on reporting. This could be done to improve practice by advertising and encouraging patients to self-reporting to their nearest health facility. Public awareness could be done through social media. The responsible regulatory authority, with assistance from other relevant stakeholders, should design the reporting forms and make them easily available and accessible so that the public may use them for reporting adverse drug reaction.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Nurses, Adverse Drug Reactions, Pharmacovigilance