A multicenter evaluation of patients’ knowledge of adverse drug reactions

A good knowledge of adverse drug reaction (ADRs) is critical for early identification and prompt reporting, mitigating most of its associated health consequences. This study assessed patients’ knowledge of ADRs and its predictors. A cross-sectional survey of 1,075 patients of five selected tertiary health facilities in five regions of Nigeria was performed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 25 to determine ADR knowledge level and predictors of the knowledge at 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). The study showed that 55.5% of respondents had good knowledge of ADRs, while 42.3% had fair knowledge. Residents in Abia State (95%CI = 1.578–4.471; AOR = 2.656; p < 0.001) and participants ≤ 20 years old (95%CI = 1.022–6.206; AOR = 2.518; p = 0.045) were twice more likely to have good knowledge of ADR. Similarly, patients who used prescribed medicines (95%CI = 1.233–2.657; AOR = 1.810; p = 0.002) were almost twice more likely to have good knowledge of ADR. Meanwhile, residence in Abuja (95%CI = 0.170-0.450; AOR = 0.277; p = 0.000) and Bauchi State (95%CI = 0.299-0.831; AOR = 0.499; p = 0.008) were less likely to have good knowledge of ADR. More than half of the Nigerian patients surveyed possessed good knowledge of ADRs and the observed knowledge was significantly predicted by the use of prescribed medicines and socio-demographic factors, particularly, age and State of residence. Therefore, interventions focusing on the observed factors would further improve ADR knowledge and enhance patient safety through early detection, reporting and prompt management.