Awareness and Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals in Baguio-Benguet towards Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The issue of drug related harm is currently one of the most important public health problem all over the world. Healthcare professionals play a major role in the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs).Objective: To determine the awareness and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards ADRs reporting in Baguio and Benguet. The study also sought to determine the barriers experienced and factors encouraging ADRs reporting. Method: Cross sectional study design was used and a self-administered questionnaire was designed and randomly circulated to 242 physicians, nurses and pharmacists.Results: Healthcare Professionals in Baguio and Benguet had only an “average” awareness (54%) regarding ADRs reporting. Female healthcare professionals, those with more years of experience, physicians and those who had information about pharmacovigilance had significantly higher level of awareness (p-value ?0.001). The healthcare professionals had an overall favorable attitude towards ADRs reporting (mean = 1.56). The strongest barriers to ADRs reporting were lack of knowledge on where to address the ADRs reports (mean=3.35) and the reporting forms being too complicated to fill in (mean = 3.26). The most important factors encouraging ADRs reporting were the feeling that it was an obligation to do so (mean=1.53) and that the reaction is of a serious nature (mean = 1.67). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals in Baguio and Benguet are generally familiar with the basic concepts of ADRs reporting and view ADRs reporting as beneficial. However, there are certain constraints leading to under-reporting. ADRs reporting may be further enhanced through appropriate educational campaign. Further studies are warranted using a larger sample size and including patients as respondents.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting, Nurses, Pharmacovigilance, Physicians, and Pharmacists.