Questionnaire-based assessment of awareness among healthcare workers about Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) in a tertiary care centre of Bihar: An observational, comparative and prospective study

Background: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) is a worldwide health issue requiring attention of healthcare workers. Healthcare workers are backbone of pharmacovigilance programme and hence have a major role for better healthcare system.Aim: To assess the awareness of knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance among healthcare workers in our healthcare centre.Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based observational, comparative and prospective study comprising 15 questions pertaining to adverse drug reaction reporting and Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) was conducted in two visits. 60 healthcare workers (34 assistant and 26 associate professor) from different clinical departments were included. Questionnaire was based on two alternative answers viz "Yes" or "No" and divided into four classes for evaluation of awareness using a grading scale. Sensitization of participants was done at visit 1 only. Results were compared (Visits 1 and visit 2) with same questionnaires and grading scale. Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon matched-pairs test using GraphPad Instat software. Results: After second visit there was significant increase in response in which education encompassing pharmacovigilance was recommended by 90% of healthcare workers. Percentage of healthcare workers responding “yes” regarding established independent body for reporting of ADRs was 80%. Further, evaluation of awareness in different aspect of pharmacovigilance showed that fundamental knowledge of pharmacovigilance among healthcare workers was excellent in 45%, good in 35%, average in 5% and poor in 15% of healthcare workers.Conclusions: Healthcare workers’ knowledge towards ADR reporting is better however its practice needs to be encouraged with sincere approach. The reporting rate of ADR could be improved with proper and extensive sensitization about Pharmacovigilance to them at regular intervals