Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals towards adverse drug reaction reporting among public sector primary healthcare facilities in a South African district

Haines, Hester Michelle and Meyer, Johanna C and Summers, Robert S and Godman, B B (2020) Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals towards adverse drug reaction reporting among public sector primary healthcare facilities in a South African district. In: EuroDURG 2020, 2020-03-03 - 2020-03-07.

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Abstract

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have an appreciable impact. However, little is known about ADR reporting in ambulatory care especially in low and middle income countries. Consequently, the aim was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among health care professionals (HCPs) towards ADR reporting in primary health care (PHC) facilities in South Africa. The findings to direct future activities. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional design using a quantitative methodology among 8 public sector Community Health Care (CHC) centres and 40 PHC facilities in the Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 218 HCPs including medical practitioners, professional nurses, pharmacists and post-basic pharmacist assistants. Results: 200 responded (response rate of 91.7%). Although an appropriate attitude for ADR reporting existed, actual frequency of ADR reporting was low (16.0%). Nearly two thirds (60.5%) of respondents did not know how to report, where to report, or when to report an ADR and 51.5% said that their level of clinical knowledge made it difficult to decide whether or not an ADR had occurred. Over 97% stated they should be reporting ADRs with 89% feeling that ADR reporting is a professional obligation and over 70% that ADR reporting should be compulsory. When results were combined, the overall mean score in terms of positive or preferred practices for ADR reporting was 24.6% with pharmacists having the highest scores. Conclusion: Under-reporting of ADRs with gaps in KAP were evident. There is an urgent need for education and training of HCPs on ADRs in South Africa.

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