Factors Influencing Reporting on Adverse Drug Reactions by Health Workers at District Hospitals in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, 2020

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, although most cases go undetected, particularly in developing countries, data from the United States shows that Adverse Drug Events are the fourth to sixth leading cause of death. Spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting is the most widely used and cost-effective method of monitoring the safety of drugs. This method is negatively affected by under reporting by healthcare professionals. This study seeks to determine factors that influence adverse drug reactions reporting by healthcare workers at district Hospitals in Mashonaland West Province, 2020. An analytical cross-sectional study of 237 health care workers randomly selected from the seven district hospitals in Mashonaland West province was conducted. Data collection was by self-administered questionnaire from fifth of December 2020 - 22nd December 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the background characteristics of the healthcare workers and the outcome measures like training and reasons for ADR reporting were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression was used to measure association between different variables and reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions. Majority of participants (78.1%) reported introduction of ADR reporting teachings during induction and mandatory training and refresher courses for health workers by (82.7%) as facilitators for ADR reporting. Six variables had a statistically significant association with ADR reporting, these were: knowledge that not all ADRs are known before drug is released (OR 3.4 p-value0.015); years of practice as health worker: 1-10yrs (OR 140.3; p-value 0.000), having been taught how to report ADRs (OR 3.5; p-value 0.014), knowledge of how to report ADRs (OR 2.9; p-value 0.028), awareness of a center were one can report (MCAZ) (OR 0.2 pvalue 0.006) and knowledge of who should report (OR 0.1; p-value 0.002). Only 940 (39.5%) confirmed ever receiving training on ADRs. Lack of training and lack of knowledge on ADR reporting system were found to be the factors that were hindering ADR reporting by healthcare workers. Hence the researcher recommended that a multi-sectoral approach be taken to improve on educating health care workers on the processes of ADR reporting.