Abstract
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Saudi undergraduate pharmacy students’ knowledge, attitude, and readiness towards pharmacovigilance and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 15, 2016 and February 18, 2016 using a structured, validated and pilot-tested questionnaire among senior (year 4, 5, and 6) undergraduate pharmacy students enrolled at a governmental or private university/college. Students completed an online 27-item questionnaire developed using Google Forms™. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographics; knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting; attitudes towards ADR reporting; and pharmacy students’ readiness towards ADR reporting.
Results
Two hundred and fifty-nine students completed the questionnaire. Most of the participants were females (n=174; 67.2%) and were year 4 (n=128; 49.4%) students. Out of a total possible score of seven, the mean knowledge score (SD) was 4.15 (1.1). Multiple linear regression showed that after adjusting for gender and program of study (BPharm/PharmD), year of the study was found to be an independent predictor (p=0.03) of the total knowledge score. More than half of the respondents (n=166; 64.1%) acknowledged that they do not know how to report ADRs to the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia. The majority (n=213; 82.2%) of respondents believed that information on how to report ADRs should be taught to senior pharmacy students.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Saudi undergraduate pharmacy students’ knowledge, attitude, and readiness towards pharmacovigilance and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 15, 2016 and February 18, 2016 using a structured, validated and pilot-tested questionnaire among senior (year 4, 5, and 6) undergraduate pharmacy students enrolled at a governmental or private university/college. Students completed an online 27-item questionnaire developed using Google Forms™. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographics; knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting; attitudes towards ADR reporting; and pharmacy students’ readiness towards ADR reporting.
Results
Two hundred and fifty-nine students completed the questionnaire. Most of the participants were females (n=174; 67.2%) and were year 4 (n=128; 49.4%) students. Out of a total possible score of seven, the mean knowledge score (SD) was 4.15 (1.1). Multiple linear regression showed that after adjusting for gender and program of study (BPharm/PharmD), year of the study was found to be an independent predictor (p=0.03) of the total knowledge score. More than half of the respondents (n=166; 64.1%) acknowledged that they do not know how to report ADRs to the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia. The majority (n=213; 82.2%) of respondents believed that information on how to report ADRs should be taught to senior pharmacy students.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 779-785 |
| Journal | Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 30 Jun 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2017 |