Educational intervention to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals regarding pharmacovigilance in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined educational intervention and year-long monthly text message reinforcements via the Short Messaging System (SMS) on the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards pharmacovigilance.Methods:Six randomly selected teaching hospitals in the South-South zone of Nigeria were randomized in 1:1 ratio into intervention and control groups. The educational intervention consisted of delivering a seminar followed by sending monthly texts message reinforcements via SMS over 12 months. Then a semi-structured questionnaire regarding the KAP of pharmacovigilance was completed by HCPs working in the hospitals after the intervention. Data was analysed descriptively and inferentially.Results:A total of 931 HCPs participated in the post intervention study (596 in the intervention and 335 in the control). The M:F ratio was 1:1.5. According to the KAP questionnaire, a significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups, regarding knowledge of the types of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADR resulting from pharmacological action of the drug (85.6% versus 77%, p = 0.001), the fact that ADRs can persist for a long time; (60.1% versus 53.4%, p = 0.024) and a higher awareness of the ADR reporting form (48.7% versus 18.8%, p < 0.001). Most respondents in the intervention group (68.5% versus 60.6%, p = 0.001) believed they should report ADRs even if they were unsure an ADR has occurred, a greater proportion of HCPs from the intervention group had significantly observed an ADR (82% versus 73.4%, p = 0.001). Furthermore, of the 188 who had ever reported an ADR, 41% from the intervention group used the national ADR reporting form compared with 19.8% from the controls (p < 0.001).Conclusion:This educational intervention and the use of SMS as a reinforcement tool appeared to have positively impacted on the knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance in South-South Nigeria with a less-than-impressive change in attitude. Continuous medical education may be required to effect long-lasting changes.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Pharmacists towards Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting

“…26 A study conducted in Nigeria among community pharmacists also stated that ADR reporting incidences are very rare even though they enough knowledge. 27 In the current study, the practice of ADR reporting was not improved even after the educational intervention which is in contrast with the study published by Abimbola et al 28 It was also noted that the theoretical educational intervention seems to be unsuccessful to change the practice of community pharmacists. This may warrant the need for practical hands-on training and clinical education to improve the practice of ADR reporting among community pharmacists.…”

Rapid review of suspected adverse drug events due to remdesivir in the WHO database; findings and implications

“…The majority of events were reported from the American continent and were spontaneously reported by health professionals ( [48][49][50][51][52]. Improvements in ADE and ADR reporting are needed across countries generally and especially with new medicines, with educational and other initiatives known to be successful [53][54][55].…”

Designing a National Veterinary Prescribing Champion Programme for Welsh Veterinary Practices: The Arwain Vet Cymru Project

“…Educational interventions have been shown to improve knowledge of pharmacovigilance [ 50 ] and prescribing competency [ 51 ] as well as to strengthen AMS [ 52 , 53 , 54 ], although the effects may be short-lived. Online learning as part of AMS programmes has been playing an increasing role [ 55 ] and online training of GPs has been shown to reduce antimicrobial prescribing for respiratory disease [ 56 ].…”