A survey on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of physicians towards pharmacovigilance in Jordanian health centres

• Published in: International health 2018-09, Vol.10 (5), p.363-370
• Main Authors: Shroukh, Wejdan A, Shakhatreh, Farouq M, Yasein, Nada A, Sharkas, Ghazi F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Jordan; Medical Staff, Hospital - psychology; Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology; Pharmacovigilance; Professional Role; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1876-3413; 1876-3405
• DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihy029

Abstract Background Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care professionals towards pharmacovigilance are strongly associated with reporting adverse drug reactions, as proven by a number of studies. This study aims to evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards pharmacovigilance among physicians working at health centres of the Jordanian Ministry of Health. Methods This took the form of a cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires were distributed by the researcher and research assistant to the physicians. Twenty primary and comprehensive health centres were covered. Results The study included 106 physicians. Poor knowledge and practices were observed (mean knowledge score of 1.5±1.2 out of five, and mean practice score of 5.5±1.8 out of 15), while a high level of positive attitudes was observed (mean attitude score of 9.3±1.3 out of 10). Half of the physicians were aware that monitoring adverse drug reactions in Jordan is carried out by the Jordan Pharmacovigilance Centre. The majority of physicians (95.2%) mentioned that they rarely or never used the adverse drug reactions reporting form in Jordan. Conclusions It is clear that there is a need to initiate educational activities and intervention programmes to raise the awareness of health care providers in Jordan regarding pharmacovigilance.