scholarly journals Poor Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Pharmacovigilance among Health Care Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study

Author(s):  
Rajaat Vohra ◽  
Anusha Vohra ◽  
Meghna Verma

ABSTRACT Background As the number of drugs available in the market are increasing, there arises a need to detect their adverse drug reactions and report them on time so that further harm can be avoided. The level of underreporting of adverse drug reactions is very high. Therefore, present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pharmacovigilance among the various health care professionals and suggest ways to improve them. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was done on 215 health care personnels working in a medical college in Jaipur. They were subjected to KAP questionnaire consisted of knowledge, attitude and practice based questions, designed specifically to assess the awareness about pharmacovigilance. Results and conclusion The mean KAP scores of physicians were found to be 5.75, 4.44 and 1.75 respectively. The KAP score of postgraduate students was 5.5, 4.25 and 1.5 respectively. The KAP score of final year MBBS students was 5, 3.4, and 1.4 respectively, and that of interns was 4, 4.2 and 1.4 respectively. The KAP score of pharmacists was 3.5, 2 and 1 respectively, and that of nurses was 2.75, 2.25 and 0.8 respectively. It was found that mean score of physicians and postgraduate students was higher than interns and final year MBBS and much higher than nurses and pharmacists. Still they all fall under the poor score range to unsatisfactory score range which suggest that there is an urgent need for ongoing educational programs to train health care professionals about pharmacovigilance. How to cite this article Vohra A, Vohra R, Verma M. Poor Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Pharmacovigilance among Health Care Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study. J Mahatma Gandhi Univ Med Sci Tech 2016;1(2):42-46.

Author(s):  
Ambika Sharma ◽  
Mali Ram Aswal ◽  
Rahul Gupta

Introduction: Health care professionals are at greater risk of acquiring and subsequently transmitting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to their patients, families and colleagues. It is of utmost importance for them to have a knowledge about this Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and hence be in a position to practice infection prevention and control. Aim: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among health care professionals regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study and was conducted in the month of April, 2020, among doctors and nurses. Total 164 health care professionals from the medical college hospital were included in the study. A 53-item survey questionnaire was developed to assess KAP among the health care professionals. Data analysis was done by using Epi info 7.2.1.0 version. Chi-square test was used to analyse variables as appropriate. A p-value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 164 responses were collected and analysed. Doctors comprised 43.9% of the total study subjects while remaining 56.1% were nurses. Male to female ratio of the study subjects was 2:1. Fifty-eight percent informed that they had received training about infection control. In the present study, common source of information about COVID-19 was the internet, social media and television followed by newspaper, government sources and radio. Most of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) were aware of the mode of transmission of infection and common preventive measures. Incubation period was known to 95% of respondents. Only 48.9% of nurses thought that the mild form of disease was most common. Almost all believed that washing hands and wearing mask were important preventive measures. Around 60% of HCWs assumed that they knew the steps for wearing and removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but very few could remember the exact sequence. Most of them felt that the disease was dangerous, however only 31% were scared to do hospital work. Both nurses and doctors practiced high levels of hand hygiene, cough hygiene and wearing face masks at the workplace. Conclusion: This study highlights the level of existing KAP of COVID-19 among health care professionals. There is an urgent need to focus on training for correct use of PPE which can safeguard HCWs from contracting COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tazebew Flatie

Abstract Background : Malaria is worldwide health problem causing high mortality and morbidity, not only a major cause of suffering and death, but also the cause of socioeconomic problems, especially in developing country like Ethiopia. Methods: This study is aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria and its preventive and control methods among people attending in Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia. Cross sectional study was employed by using random sampling technique was carried out to select representative individuals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. The data quality control was tested by using pretest and study protocol of the research was approved by the Ethical Review Committee. Results: The overall prevalence rate of malaria was 8.5%. Individuals having poor knowledge and poor practice toward malaria were 26.93 (CI = 3.67-197.47, p=0.001) and 13.09 (CI=0.93-183.47, p=0.036) times higher respectively as compared to individuals who are knowledgeable and had good practice toward malaria. Level of education was significant predictor of practice level which, education status of being uneducated and attaining grades 1-8. Respondent’s less than 500 family economic statuses were also significantly associated with practice level (P < 0.05) among study participants. The overall knowledge, attitude and practice level was relatively good, but its practice towards ITN utilization was poor. Poor knowledge and practice were significantly increase malaria risk. Conclusion: Malaria is still causes a serious health burden so special attention should be taken to malaria prevention and control by giving awareness and using different intervention method.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document