EVALUATION OF THE IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF CHILDREN IN A RURAL SUBURB OF ANAMBRA STATE

AWARENESS, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS TO ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING IN NNEWI NORTH L.G.A, ANAMBRA STATE.

ABSTRACT

This descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted on healthcare professionals working at different healthcare facilities in Nnewi North L.G.A of Anambra state to determine their awareness, attitude and practice to ADR reporting. The research was carried out after an approval from Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching Hospital ethical committee. Written consent was obtained from the heads of different health facilities and informed consent was obtained from individual respondents during the administration of the questionnaires. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the health facilities studied and numbers of different professional groups sampled was proportionately determined. Consecutive recruitment method was used until the required sample was attained. A total of 372 respondents [including 241 (64.8%) nurses/related health care workers, 109 (29.3%) doctors and 22 (5.9%) pharmacists] were studied. Two hundred and twenty one (59.4%) respondents were not aware of the existence of ADR reporting scheme in Nigeria. 241 (64.8%) of them lack the knowledge of reporting guideline. Though 85.8% of the respondents believe ADR reporting to be their professional responsibility, 310 (83.3%) suspected an ADR without reporting it, Uncertainty of reactions caused by drug, ignorance on how to report, fear, unavailability of reporting forms/guideline and lack of electronic means of reporting were mentioned as obstacles to ADR reporting. There was indeed poor awareness (40.6%), poor attitude, and poor practice (0.9%) of ADR reporting among health professionals working in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state