Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Monitoring and Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions affect patient safety and healthcare quality. Nurses’ involvement in pharmacovigilance is vital for effective monitoring, timely reporting, and management of ADRs, in accordance with guidelines by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding the monitoring and reporting of ADRs among nurses attending KIU University Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among registered nurses working at government hospitals in Sri Lanka and attending KIU (a non-state university in Sri Lanka) for higher studies. Participants were recruited through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed, pre-tested, online questionnaire comprising sections on baseline characteristics and knowledge on monitoring and reporting practices of ADRs. Total scores were used to assess overall knowledge, categorized as follows: >80-good, 60-80-moderate, <60-poor- knowledge. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS. Results: The study included 400 participants. The mean±SD age and working experience were 35.37±4.06 years and 10.51±4.63, respectively. The majority were female (94.5%) and had received training on ADR (60.5%). The mean±SD total knowledge score was 85.05±23.60, with 72.8% scoring ≥80.01, indicating a high level of ADR awareness. The mean±SD score for ADR monitoring knowledge was 65.86±25.18, indicating a moderate to high level of understanding, while the mean score for ADR reporting knowledge was 56.26±26.45, reflecting moderate- awareness. Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between ADR knowledge and age (p=0.000), gender (p=0.033), work experience (p=0.000), clinical setting (p=0.000), involvement in patientcare (p=0.000), and prior ADR training (p=0.000), emphasizing the importance of experience and training in enhancing ADR-related knowledge. Conclusion: Despite reporting moderate-level knowledge regarding the monitoring and reporting of ADRs, expansion of nurses’ knowledge and practice is vital. Monitoring and reporting ADRs were associated with the selected personal and professional characteristics. Integration of pharmacovigilance into nursing education, and the implementation of user-friendly ADR reporting systems are recommended.