KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE & PRACTICE ON ADVERSE EFFECT MONITORING AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN A SECONDARY CARE HOSPITAL: AN AWARENESS INITIATIVE THROUGH AN INFORMATIONAL LEAFLET

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant concern in healthcare and contribute to increased morbidity and healthcare burden. Effective pharmacovigilance depends largely on the active participation of healthcare professionals in ADR monitoring and reporting. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare professionals towards adverse effect monitoring and reporting. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over a period of six months among 120 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, working in both government sector. Data were collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire covering demographic details and KAP domains. The results showed that the majority of participants had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards ADR monitoring. Doctors and pharmacists demonstrated comparatively better knowledge and attitude than nurses. However, the practice of ADR reporting was found to be suboptimal across all groups. Common barriers to reporting included lack of time, insufficient awareness of reporting procedures, and limited accessibility to reporting systems. In conclusion, although knowledge and attitude towards ADR monitoring are satisfactory, there is a need to improve reporting practices through continuous educational interventions and enhanced awareness programs to strengthen pharmacovigilance and ensure patient safety.