scholarly journals Adverse drug reaction reporting by community pharmacists in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, 2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Johnson Y. Osei ◽  
Priscillia A. Nortey ◽  
Delia A. Bandoh ◽  
Ernest Kenu ◽  
Adolphina A. Addo- Lartey

Objectives: To assess adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting and identify factors to improve ADR reporting among community pharmacists in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.Design: A quantitative cross-sectional study.Setting: Community pharmacies in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.Participants: We randomly selected 210 pharmacists from a list community of pharmacies in Accra, Ghana. All participants had been practicing in the past one year, with this study being conducted from June to July 2016.Main outcome measure: Prevalence of ADR reporting by community pharmacists in Accra, Ghana.Results: Of the 210 community pharmacists interviewed 54.0% were males. Mean age was 32±10 years. Majority (96.0%) had heard of ADR reporting in Ghana, yet 18% had never seen the ADR reporting form. Reasons given for failure to report suspected ADRs included unavailability of reporting forms (83.1%), uncertainty about a causal relationship between the drug and the suspected ADR and classification of the reaction as “normal” with the medication being taken (23.6%). Only 34.0% of pharmacists had the ADR reporting forms available in their facilities. Marital status was the only factor significantly associated with ADR reporting (OR 3.18, 95%CI 1.02 – 9.12).Conclusion: ADR reporting by community pharmacists in Ghana remains low. To improve the proportion of reporting, ADR forms should be made available in all pharmacies, pharmacists and the general public should be made aware of online reporting systems, with continuous professional development in Pharmacovigilance with the advice that all suspected ADRs should be reported irrespective of uncertainty about causality.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Tunnage ◽  
Adam Yates ◽  
Chiaka Nwoga ◽  
Valentine Sing’oei ◽  
John Owuoth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Kenya has a high burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Screening is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment, which reduces morbidity and mortality across all three illnesses. We evaluated testing uptake for HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods Cross-sectional data from adults aged 18–35 years who enrolled in a prospective HIV incidence cohort study from February 2017 to May 2018 were analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to each participant at screening for study eligibility to collect behavioral characteristics and to assess prior testing practices. Among participants without a history of previously-diagnosed HIV, multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with HIV testing in the 12 months prior to enrollment. A hierarchical model was used to test for differential access to testing due to spatial location. Results Of 671 participants, 52 (7.7%) were living with HIV, 308 (45.9%) were female, and the median age was 24 (interquartile range 21–28) years. Among 651 (97.0%) who had ever been tested for HIV, 400 (61.2%) reported HIV testing in the past 6 months, 129 (19.7%) in the past 6–12 months, and 125 (19.1%) more than one year prior to enrollment. Any prior testing for viral hepatitis was reported by 8 (1.2%) participants and for tuberculosis by 51 (7.6%). In unadjusted models, HIV testing in the past year was more common among females (PR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01, 1.17]) and participants with secondary education or higher (PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.19]). In the multivariable model, only secondary education or higher was associated with recent HIV testing (adjusted PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.20]). Hierarchical models showed no geographic differences in HIV testing across Kisumu subcounties. Conclusions Prior HIV testing was common among study participants and most had been tested within the past year but testing for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis was far less common. HIV testing gaps exist for males and those with lower levels of education. HIV testing infrastructure could be leveraged to increase access to testing for other endemic infectious diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Feuerstein-Simon ◽  
Margaret Lowenstein ◽  
Roxanne Dupuis ◽  
Xochitl Luna Marti ◽  
Abby Dolan ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionPublic libraries are increasingly impacted by the overdose crisis. A 2017 survey of public librarians in the state of Pennsylvania revealed that 12% had reported an on-site overdose in the previous year. There are increasing public and private efforts to equip public libraries with the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of all public library branches in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia. Survey questions. We used descriptive statistics to report frequencies of responses and crude odds ratios were calculated to predict the dichotomized variable of endorsement of naloxone uptake.ResultsLibrary staff reported witnessing on-site alcohol (45%) and injection drug (14%) use in the past month. The one-year cumulative incidence (12% overall) of on-site overdose ranged from a low of 10% in MI, to a high of 17% in FL. Among libraries with on-site overdoses, a minority (21%) stocked naloxone, and 12% had administered naloxone. Overall, 11% of libraries stocked naloxone on-site. Although 24% of respondents reported attending at least one training regarding SUD in the past year, 91% wanted more training on the topic.ConclusionsPublic library staff routinely address issues related to substance use and overdose in their institutions. This work highlights the importance of including public libraries as part of a comprehensive public health strategy to address substance use-related morbidity and mortality in the U.S.


Author(s):  
Ming Ming Wen ◽  
Heba Aref ◽  
Ahmad Abozaid ◽  
Nahla Hesham Kandil ◽  
Yasmin Hussein Elsobky

Objective: The first objective of this work was to examine the services provided by six drug information centers (DICs) in Alexandria, Egypt. The second objective was to evaluate the quality of the replies to the drug information query. The third objective was to assess the conceptual need of DICs from community pharmacists, other health care professionals and the general public.Methods: This study was conducted through three stages. Stage I was a field survey to assess predefined parameters in the current DICs in Alexandria. Stage II was a retrospective cross-sectional study to assess the quality of the drug information replies through an external expert review process. Stage III was a population survey and thematic analysis using questionnaires and interview recording.Results: Activities of DICs include: DIR answering service (100%), adverse drug reaction reporting (100%), issuing bulletins (83.3%), education (83.3%), drug use evaluation (50%) and participation in P and T committees (33.3%). The most frequent question categories asked were dosing, side effects, treatment guidelines and drug interactions. Half of the DICs were affiliated with hospitals; however, a general lacking confidence level of these DICs on the professionalism and the impact on patient care for the DIC services provided was identified. There was an obvious problem in formatting the ultimate question in a question format rather than a sentence format in all DICs. The most accurately answered request was adverse drug reactions. All surveyed groups considered that it is very important to have a DIC accessible to the community free of charge.Conclusion: It is necessary to establish an university-based DIC to incorporate training, education and research into the existing services. A DIC network with definitive standards of services in the future should provide safe and effective quality-assured pharmaceutical care to meet the needs and expectations of the community and improve its delivery to the public. The results and recommendations of this study can be inspired and generalized to other developing countries that have similar health systems as in Egypt. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belete Kassa Alemu ◽  
Tessema Tsehay Biru

Background. The role of health care professionals among other stakeholders in early detection, assessment, documentation, and reporting as well as preventing suspected adverse reactions is very crucial to mitigate drug-related problems in health facilities. Previous reports from literatures have indicated that adverse drug reaction reporting is highly linked to the knowledge and attitude of the health care professionals. Objective. To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care professionals about adverse drug reactions and the associated factors at selected public hospitals in Northeast Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on KAP of selected health care providers by the convenience sampling method. Data were entered into Epi info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Association between dependent and independent variables was found by using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis where p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results. Out of 120 questionnaires distributed, 114 respondents filled and returned, giving a 95% response rate. From total, 49 (43%) were nurses, 26 (22.8%) physicians, 17 (14.9%) pharmacy professionals, 12 (10.5%) health officers, and 10 (8.8%) midwives. About 86 (75.44%) study participants had an inadequate knowledge towards ADR reporting, and half of participants failed to report the adverse drug reactions they encountered. But the majority of participants (84, 73.68%) had a favorable attitude towards ADR reporting. Nurses [AOR = 0.069, 95% CI (0.018–0.275)], health officers [AOR = 0.10, 95% CI (0.015–0.647)], and physicians [AOR = 0.14, 95% CI (0.03–0.64)] were found to be less likely to have adequate knowledge on ADR reporting compared to pharmacy professionals. Conclusion. Even though the majority of health care professionals had a positive attitude, they had inadequate knowledge and poor practice towards ADR reporting.


1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1400-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth K.C. Lee ◽  
Thomas Y.K. Chan ◽  
Kenneth Raymond ◽  
Julian A.J.H. Critchley

OBJECTIVE: To study the attitudes and knowledge of pharmacists in Hong Kong toward the reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). METHODS: In December 1993, all pharmacists who were working in retail shops (n=230), hospitals (n=44), or outpatient clinics (n=12) in Hong Kong were sent a questionnaire as well as a letter explaining the purpose of the survey. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine pharmacists (retail pharmacies 40.4 percent, hospitals 68.2 percent, outpatient clinics 50 percent) responded. Although 93 percent of the pharmacists in this survey agreed that it is necessary to report ADRs, a much smaller proportion (14.7 percent) had actually done so in the previous 12 months. Most pharmacists (87.4 percent) were not aware of any ADR reporting system in Hong Kong. There did not appear to be a relationship between ADR reporting and the length or place of practice, workload, or patient contact time. Severe or unusual ADRs and ADRs to new products were perceived to be significant enough to report. CONCLUSIONS: The great majority of pharmacists in Hong Kong agreed on the necessity of reporting ADRs. The lack of knowledge of an ADR reporting program might have led to nonreporting in the past. It is important that there be continuing efforts to promote ADR reporting programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Maliha Ata ◽  
Rozina Hoque ◽  
Asma Mostafa ◽  
Md Rakibul I Shakil ◽  
Rajat Sanker Roy Biswas ◽  
...  

Background: In order to improve the spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting practice by the physicians, there is an obligatory need to investigate the current situation of ADR reporting by them. The study was conducted to observe the ADR reporting pattern among physicians in a tertiary medical college hospital. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out in a tertiary medical college hospital during the study period of March 2020 to October 2020. Data were collected from 100 physicians working on different departments using self designed pretested questionnaire by convenient sampling technique. Results: Among the 100 respondents 70 provided response to questionnaire giving a response rate 70%. Most of the respondents (61.43%) had adequate knowledge on ADR reporting. A good number of respondents showed positive attitude but there is no practice of ADR reporting though most of the respondents (84.3%) had experienced it in last 1 year. Most of the respondents experienced ADR with antibiotic (81.35%), NSAIDs (33.89%) & anticonvulsants (15.25%) and maximum (44.06%) experienced ADR was with skin, 30.50% with GIT and 23.03% with respiratory system involvement. The cause of under reporting was mainly due to inaccessible ADR form, busy schedule, unaware of how and whom to report and lack of motivation to report. The respondents would be encouraged to report ADR if they were provided with simple & available reporting form, regular guideline & bulletin. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for educational training & seminar regarding our national online reporting system to emphasizing ADR reporting. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.20 (2); July 2021; Page 8-13


2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussen Shanko ◽  
Jemal Abdela

Aims: This study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of adverse drug reaction reporting among healthcare professionals in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital (HFSUH). Method: Hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on healthcare professionals of HFSUH. Based on purposive sampling technique, all eligible healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians and pharmacists) were involved in the study. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. The test of association of selected categorical variables were done using cross tabulation and Pearson Chi-square test. Result: Our study indicated that about 297 participants provided their response to the distributed questionnaires which makes the response rate 91.4%. Of the total healthcare professionals involved in the study, 99 (33.6%) of them were able to understand the difference between adverse drug reaction (ADR) and side effects, of which pharmacists were significantly reported (95.24%, P<0.05). About 175(59.3%) of the respondents engaged in the study were reportedly knew the national ADR reporting system in Ethiopia. On the other hand, 181(61.36%) of the participants were recognized the presence of ADR reporting form while 114 (38.64%) of the respondents had no any information about its presence in the country. Conclusion: The study revealed that a gap in knowledge, awareness and practice of healthcare professionals on ADR reporting. Therefore, specific strategies should be designed in order to improve awareness, knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals to tackle issue related to under-reporting of ADR.


Author(s):  
Chirag B. Mistry ◽  
Shreya M. Shah ◽  
Vivek A. Modi ◽  
Suresh D. Mistry

Background: In general, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are global problems causing both morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous ADR reporting is important to monitor adverse effects of medicines but under reporting is still very prevalent so, there is a need of constant monitoring and rectification of system of Pharmacovigilance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the healthcare professionals about Pharmacovigilance and to identify the reason for under reporting of ADRs.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretested questionnaire among doctors with minimum qualification MBBS or B.D.S. including faculties, senior and junior residents. Subsequently, analysis of association between education and experience was done by chi square test at P-value <0.05.Results: A pretested questionnaire was distributed among 403 doctors and 240 (59.16%) responded voluntarily. In general, 131 (54.58%) participants noted lack of time to report ADR while 90 (37.50%) participants noted no benefit of reporting already known ADR. On the other hand, total 104 (43.33%) participants were aware about need to report a serious adverse event during “Clinical Trial” within 24 hours to the Ethics Committee. Only 87 (36.25%) participants noted a need of reporting of already known ADR.Conclusions: Participants had good knowledge and attitude towards pharmacovigilance, but the actual practice of ADR reporting is still deficient among them that can be improved by sensitization training and involvement of grass root level health care workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1276-1282
Author(s):  
Yamuna Devi M. S. ◽  
Saratha Muthukumar ◽  
Kaavya S.

The adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system in India came into existence in 2010 through an initiative by the Government, the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), considering the social and economic consequences of drug effects. Though the system is functioning effectively for almost a decade, there has been a lacuna in reporting due to the lack of awareness among the patients who are the direct consumers. Medicine side-effects reporting is the newest initiative started in 2014 by PvPI, and the forms for consumer reporting is made available in over 10 different Indian languages like Tamil, Hindi, etc. It is imperative to determine the level of awareness among the public regarding drug side-effects and the existence of a National Programme to monitor the same, especially in a country like India with a population of nearly 1.38 billion. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness among the general population about the ADR reporting system in India. This cross-sectional study was done over a period of one year amongst the general public in South India. Data was collected from about 338 participants using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed descriptively using SPSS statistical software version 24. The overall response rate was 93.8%, and the mean age was 35.62 ± 10.43 years. Though the respondents had sufficient knowledge (66%) about ADRs, their awareness about the reporting system was very poor (19%). Reporting through phone (78%) was preferred over-reporting through specific forms (10%). To conclude, our study emphasizes that public participation and awareness are crucial in strengthening the existing system of Pharmacovigilance.


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