Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding pharmacovigilance among Turkish inpatients: A cross-sectional study

Background: Reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by patients may contribute to the improvement of drug safety. However, underreporting of ADRs is estimated to be the main problem of the pharmacovigilance system. While the concern about and contribution to pharmacovigilance of Turkish health professionals is disappointing, drawing the picture of Turkish consumers’ knowledge, attitude and practices is paramount to improve the contribution of this group. Objectives: We evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding pharmacovigilance among Turkish inpatients in a university hospital in Turkey. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was performed by a face-to-face questionnaire in 260 inpatients. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and 15 and 9 items regarding knowledge and attitude and practices, respectively. The numerical and categorical data were presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (S.E.M.) and number (percentage). Comparisons between two groups were analysed by Mann-Whitney U test and those between more than two groups by Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn-Sidak test. Results: The mean score of knowledge level (1.38 ± 0.12) was far below that of maximum score (15 points). Although 245 of 260 inpatients (94.62%) were aware of side effects, only 18 of them (6.92%) had heard about the pharmacovigilance term and the Turkish Pharmacovigilance Centre. Ten of 18 subjects (55.56%) knew that they could directly report ADRs via the reporting form. 42% of inpatients had experienced ADRs in the past, 69.16% of them preferred to consult the doctor of concern, stopping the drug being the most selected intervention (60.75%). Among the 18 subjects aware of the Turkish Pharmacovigilance Centre, only 11.11% reported ADRs to the center. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practices of Turkish inpatients regarding pharmacovigilance are insufficient and should be stimulated through various means to increase the rate of spontaneous reporting of ADRs and to ensure a more proactive attitude.