An observational study to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Present status of pharmacovigilance is not satisfactory in India due to underreporting of adverse drug reactions which may be due to shortcomings of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward pharmacovigilance among health professionals. Best time to inculcate this is during their undergraduate studies. Aim and Objectives: The study amis to evaluate KAP of undergraduate medical students and compare the results. Materials and Methods: pharmacovigilance KAP-based preformed questionnaire containing 23 questions was answered by second, pre-final and final year MBBS students of our tertiary care teaching hospital. Data obtained was analyzed statistically. Analysis was done by calculating mean score in each year and compared between respective MBBS years. Level of significance was assessed by Kruskal Wallis test. Results: Total 219 students participated in the study among which 93 were from second year (3rd term), 74 were from pre-final year and 52 were from final year MBBS. Mean score of second year, pre-final year, and final year for knowledge was (4.12, 5.34, 6.06), for attitude was (6.90, 6.99, 6.35) and for practice was (1.16, 1.55, 2.62). Statistically significant difference is seen between knowledge and practice, while attitude difference is not significant. Conclusion: Students have relatively better attitude but limited knowledge and less practice for pharmacovigilance.