KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND EXPERIENCES RELATING TO ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are public health challenges which can be controlled through pharmacovigilance. Undergraduates of the University of lbadan (UUI) who use the University Health Centre are vulnerable to ADRs. However, the knowledge and perception of ADRs and pharmacovigilance (A&P) and the prevalence of ADR among UUI have not been really explored. This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and experiences relating to ADRs and pharmacovigilance among UUI. The study was a cross-sectional survey involving the use of a four stage random sampling technique to select 450 consenting respondents from residential halls, blocks and rooms. A semi-structured questionnaire which included a 21-point knowledge scale was used to obtain information on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of A&P, perception of A&P and experiences of ADRs. Knowledge scores ≤ 10, 10-15 and >15 were categorised as poor, fair and good, respectively. Each of the pharmacovigilance related perceptions was classified as either supportive (agreement with Biomedical View-BV) or non-supportive (at variance with BV). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and Chi-square at p=0.05. Respondents' age was 21.6±3.1 years and 65.8% were males. Respondents in Non-Health Related Faculties (NHRF) accounted for 73.3%. Respondents who ever heard of ADRs and pharmacovigilance were 88.9% and 39.3%, respectively. Only 31.6% was aware of the location of the University's Pharmacovigilance Centre (PC). Respondents' knowledge of A&P was 6.0±4.7. Concepts of side-effects and ADRs were each correctly explained by only 30.0%. Respondents' with poor, fair and good knowledge constituted 62.9%, 33.6% and 3.3% respectively. Supportive pharmacovigilance- related perceptions included the following views: pharmacovigilance is a worthwhile practice (75.1%); all cases of undesirable drug effects should be reported (69.6%); and that the reporting of ADRs is not a time-wasting exercise (82.0%). The non-supportive perceptions included views that it is unnecessary to report ADRs (15.1%) and that only health workers should be concerned about reporting ADRs (12.4%). Only 16.7% had ever experienced ADRs, of this group, 65.3% reported they experienced ADRs to a PC. The adverse effects mostly experienced were gastrointestinal disturbance (26.2%) and body rashes (21.4%). The major cause of ADRs among respondents was Chloroquine (57.9%). Common reasons adduced for not reporting experienced ADRs to a PC included perception of the effects as not serious (30.8%) and that it was unnecessary (23.1%). knowledge scores among male (6.0±4.6) and females (5.9±4.8) respondents were not significantly different. Significantly, more respondents in NHRF (67.3%) than those in health-related disciplines (50.8%) had poor knowledge of A&P. The prevalence of adverse drug reaction was low among undergraduates of the University of lbadan and their knowledge of the phenomenon and pharmacovigilance was generally poor. However, several perceptions which can promote the adoption of pharmacovigilance exist among them. Public enlightenment programmes with the active involvement of students are recommended to upgrade their knowledge of pharmacovigilance and promote its adoption.