A Community Based Intervention Study on Public Awareness and Perception Towards Reporting of Adverse Drug Reaction in Dakshina Kannada

The present study was aimed to asses the knowledge, attitude and practice in handling ADR, to find the reason behind under-reporting of ADR, to educate community about importance of ADR reporting and also to analyse the impact of education on ADR reporting. A survey-based study was conducted for a period of 6 months among the general public of Dakshina Kannada. A total of 300 participants were completed the questionnaire and participate in the study. Based on knowledge participants were scored and score <6 (150) were grouped as intervention group further they were subcategorized as control and treatment 75 each. Intervention study was carried using PIL and video after the interval of 1 month re- administered same questionnaire to check the impact pharmacist intervention regarding ADR and its management. Majority (68%) of the participants were unaware about the term ADR, 31% believe that all the drugs available in the market are safe, 28.6% were unsure where to report ADR. Although 79.66% of the participants believe that ADR is harmful but 95.3% of them have not reported the suspected ADR. When enquiring reasons for not reporting not sure about ADR (65.52%), not sure where to report (11.54%), thinking that ADR reporting is not necessary, legal liability issues and fear of consequences were expressed. After intervention majority 78.66% of the participants were willing to report ADR, there was a significant improvement in the knowledge among the participants regarding ADR and its management was observed. The study concludes that there was a significant improvement in the knowledge among the participants after the intervention and majority of participants were in willing to report ADR but there is a requirement of public sensitization in this regard so the concern authorities need to impose more effort on increasing the public awareness towards the ADR handling through campaigns and public awareness programs, also a brief information about ADR can be included in text books in school level.