AWARENESS, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING IN NNEWI NORTH L.G.A, ANAMBRA STATE

This descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted on healthcare professionals working at different healthcare facilities in Nnewi North L.G.A of Anambra state to determine their awareness, attitude and practice to ADR reporting. The research was carried out after an approval from Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching Hospital ethical
committee. Written consent was obtained from the heads of different health facilities and informed consent was obtained from individual respondents during the administration of the questionnaires. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the health facilities studied and numbers of different professional groups sampled
was proportionately determined. Consecutive recruitment method was used until the required sample was attained.
A total of 372 respondents [including 241 (64.8%) nurses/related health care workers, 109 (29.3%) doctors and 22 (5.9%) pharmacists] were studied. Two hundred and twenty one (59.4%) respondents were not aware of the existence of ADR reporting scheme in Nigeria. 241 (64.8%) of them lack the knowledge of reporting guideline. Though 85.8% of the respondents believe ADR reporting to be their professional responsibility, 310 (83.3%) suspected an ADR without reporting it, Uncertainty of reactions caused by drug, ignorance on how to report, fear, unavailability of reporting forms/guideline and lack of electronic means of reporting were mentioned as obstacles to ADR reporting. There was indeed poor awareness (40.6%), poor attitude, and poor practice (0.9%) of ADR reporting among health professionals working in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

BY PHARM. (MRS.) AMAKA YVES-ANN EZEUKO, A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, IN PART FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (M. P. H.) DEGREE.