Knowledge And Attitude Towards Pharmacovigilance Among Nurses

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance is the science of tracking and managing side effects or medication-related problems. It focuses on detecting, assessing, and preventing adverse effects of drugs. Aim: To determine how nurses feel about pharmacovigilance and their knowledge of it. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted among nurses at ACSMCH and SLMCH. A self-designed questionnaire (10 items) and a 5-point Likert scale (12 items) were used to measure knowledge and attitudes. Data was gathered through Google Forms and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of the participants, 74 (67.3%) were female, 97 (88.2%) were under 30 years old, 58 (52.7%) held a B.Sc. in Nursing, 88 (80%) had less than 5 years of experience, 43 (39.1%) were currently employed in a medical ward, and 37 (33.6%) had previous experience in a medical ward. Regarding knowledge of pharmacovigilance, 45 (40.9%) had inadequate knowledge, 42 (38.2%) demonstrated moderately adequate knowledge, and 23 (20.9%) had sufficient knowledge. In terms of attitude towards pharmacovigilance, 76 (69.1%) exhibited a favorable attitude, 27 (24.5%) had a moderately favorable attitude, and 7 (6.4%) showed an unfavorable attitude. Educational qualification (χ² = 13.275, p = 0.010) was found to have a statistically significant association with the level of knowledge. Similarly, gender (χ² = 10.693, p = 0.005) and educational qualification (χ² = 9.590, p = 0.048) were significantly associated with the level of attitude. Discussion & Implications: These findings are consistent with Veena et al. (2020), underscoring the need to increase awareness among nurses. Early interventions, such as regular classes, continuous education, and workshops on pharmacovigilance, should be implemented to improve knowledge. Conclusion: The study revealed that while nurses generally have an insufficient understanding of pharmacovigilance, they maintain a positive attitude toward reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs).