Knowledge and attitudes of physicians relating to reporting of adverse drug reactions in Sokoto, north-western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are important causes of morbidities. Voluntary reporting of ADR is important in safety surveillance of medicines already in the market. This study was, therefore, conducted to appraise the current documentation of ADR in Sokoto, to analyze the extent to which clinicians appreciate factors that could affect reporting ADRs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hospitals within Sokoto metropolis were selected by convenient sampling. Pre-validated questionnaires containing questions on demographic and professional characteristics, and questions that evaluate attitudes as listed in the so-called "deadly sins" of Inman were self-administered by physicians. Data from respondents were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 61 physicians interviewed, 43 (70.5%) had encountered potential ADRs in the 12 months before the study but only 3 (7.0%) of these were reported. Fifty eight (95.1%) of the respondents were not aware that an ADR reporting system was available in Sokoto but all the 3 respondents who were aware of the existence of a reporting system had reported an ADR. Generally, there was no significant relationship between demographic and professional attributes and scores obtained on each of the Inman's attitude measured except that more experienced physicians tend to believe that ADRs are not impossible to identify and female physicians were more reluctant to engage representatives of pharmaceutical companies on ADRs related to their drugs. Additional attitudes that may influence ADRs reporting were identified. CONCLUSION: Adverse drug reactions are under-reported in Sokoto. Lack of physicians' awareness of channels for reporting appears to be the major cause.