Abstract
Pharmacovigilance plays a crucial role in assessing the risk-benefit ratio of medications, promoting their safe, rational, and effective use, and ultimately improving patient safety and care. Nurses play a fundamental role in drug administration and monitoring the therapeutic and non-therapeutic effects of drugs. The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pharmacovigilance among newly graduated registered nurses in Lesotho, both before and after an educational intervention. This study utilized a questionnaire-based educational intervention with a pre- and post-test design, involving newly graduated registered nurses. A link to a 15-item pre-validated electronic questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pharmacovigilance was distributed to newly graduated registered nurses before and after an educational intervention. Ethical clearance and consent from the respondents were secured prior to the start of the study. A total of 197 newly graduated registered nurses from 6 nurse training institutions participated in this pre- and post-KAP questionnaire study. When comparing the KAP of pharmacovigilance before and after the educational intervention, the increase in correct response rates was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The training evaluation received positive feedback from the participants. Incorporating a pharmacovigilance module into pre-service nurse training is essential. Additionally, continuing in-service and hands-on nurse training on adverse drug reaction reporting can enhance the KAP of pharmacovigilance and improve adverse drug reaction reporting in nursing practice. The concepts of pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting should be further reinforced, as there is significant potential for growth in this area.
Keywords: Adverse drug reaction, Novice nurse, Pharmacovigilance, Reporting