KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL AND DENTAL STUDENTS OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Under-reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions by health professionals is a widespread problem. To strengthen the pharmacovigilance program, medical students should be well trained about adverse drug reaction reporting from the very beginning. The objective of present study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical and dental students of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among first and second-year medical and dental students on March 2021. An online questionnaire was used to collect data. The frequency of different measures mentioned by respondents was noted. The total score was compared among different subgroups using Mann–Whitney test.

Results: Out of 238 students, 204 students (85.7 %) responded. Among them, medical students were 157 (77%) and dental students were 47 (23%). The medians for total knowledge, total attitude and total practice scores were 4, 7 and 2 respectively.  Thus, respondents had good attitude towards pharmacovigilance but their knowledge and practice were not adequate. When MBBS students were compared with the BDS students, it was found that the median for total scores for knowledge and attitude were not significantly different (p > 0.05) but there was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between median for total practice scores.

Conclusions: Positive attitude was noted among undergraduate medical and dental students towards pharmacovigilance, but knowledge and practice were not adequate. Thus, the study indicates the need for integrating interventions and education related to pharmacovigilance in undergraduate medical curricula to prepare them for future practice.