Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among Nepalese health professionals

  • Sony Chandi Shrestha London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB
  • Kebreab Ghebremeskel School of Human Sciences London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB
  • Kenneth White School of Human Sciences London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB
  • Caterina Minelli Surface Technology group National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Rd, Teddington TW11 0LW       
  • Ihab Tewfik University of Westminster, London, UK, 309 Regent St., London W1B 2HW
  • Panna Thapa Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal
  • Sundus Tewfik Bloomsnano Limited, 91 Wimpole Street, London, United Kingdom, W1G 0EF
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53411/jpadr.2022.3.3.07
Keywords: Adverse drug reactions, pharmacovigilance, Health professionals, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Although Nepal joined the WHO program for International Drug Monitoring in 2006, published data about Nepalese health professionals’ understanding of pharmacovigilance and spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is limited.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to: (1) investigate awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pharmacovigilance among health professionals and (2) gain insight into the ADRs reported for statins in Nepal.

Methods: 125 health professionals (doctors, pharmacists/assistant pharmacists, and nurses) were recruited from health care institutions (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Electronic and paper survey data were collected with the use of a validated questionnaire between April and December 2018. The multiple-choice questionnaire was structured to assess the KAP of pharmacovigilance, and ADRs associated with statins, and consisted of two open-ended questions for health professionals to give suggestions for the improvement of the pharmacovigilance system. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25) was used to analyze the demographic and pharmacovigilance data. The main outcome measures were KAP of pharmacovigilance and ADRs reported for statins.

Results:100 (80%) participants (44 doctors, 32 pharmacists / assistant pharmacists, 24 nurses) completed the self-administered questionnaire. Pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 71%, 81%, and 53%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the number of knowledgeable health professionals (71 vs. 29%, p < 0.05) and had a favorable attitude (81 vs. 19%, p < 0.05) toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting compared with those who did not. The number of participants who did not report ADR was higher than those who did (90 vs. 10%, p < 0.05). The adverse reactions associated with statins were muscle symptoms (62%), elevated activity of liver enzymes (24%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (9%).

Conclusion: Despite the knowledge and willingness of health professionals to report ADRs, the practice of pharmacovigilance remains low in Nepal. There is a need for clear and enforceable regulations for monitoring and reporting ADRs, and effective educational interventions to promote pharmacovigilance practices.

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Author Biographies

Kebreab Ghebremeskel, School of Human Sciences London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB

Professor, Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre

Kenneth White, School of Human Sciences London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB

Professor of Molecular Biosciences

Caterina Minelli, Surface Technology group National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Rd, Teddington TW11 0LW       

Science Area Leader

Ihab Tewfik, University of Westminster, London, UK, 309 Regent St., London W1B 2HW

Senior Lecturer, Life Sciences

Panna Thapa, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal

Professor of Pharmacy & Controller of Examinations

Sundus Tewfik, Bloomsnano Limited, 91 Wimpole Street, London, United Kingdom, W1G 0EF

Director, Department of Applied Nanomolecules

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Published
2022-09-01
How to Cite
1.
Shrestha SC, Ghebremeskel K, White K, Minelli C, Tewfik I, Thapa P, Tewfik S. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among Nepalese health professionals. jpadr [Internet]. 2022Sep.1 [cited 2024Apr.19];3(3):40-. Available from: https://www.jpadr.com/index.php/jpadr/article/view/99
Issue
Vol 3 No 3 (2022): Journal of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Research
Section
Research articles

Copyright (c) 2022 Sony Chandi Shrestha, Kebreab Ghebremeskel, Kenneth White, Caterina Minelli, Ihab Tewfik, Panna Thapa, Sundus Tewfik

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