Knowledge, attitudes, practices towards medication errors and adverse drug reactions reporting among healthcare professionals in Dongola, Sudan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Medications, while beneficial, can also cause significant harm, often due to medication errors (MEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding ME and ADR reporting. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dongola and data were collected using a mixed-method approach with a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, considering significance at p  < 0.05. Out of 272 targeted HCPs, 216 responded (response rate: 79.4%). Most participants were female (71.8%) and aged ≤ 28 years (81%). For MEs reporting, average knowledge (59.3%), low attitudes (29.2%), and low practices (25%) were observed. Regarding ADRs reporting, knowledge was poor (35.2%), attitudes were positive (81.9%), and practices remained low (29.6%). Knowledge significantly associated with reporting practices for both MEs and ADRs, using Chi-Square Test ( p  < 0.001). Nurses showed better MEs reporting practices compared to physicians and pharmacists ( p  = 0.008). Positive attitudes significantly correlated with improved ADRs practices ( p  = 0.001). The primary barrier to reporting was lack of knowledge (28.9%), while the most suggested improvement was implementing a mandatory reporting system (37.5%). In conclusion, the participants had inadequate knowledge and practices regarding MEs and ADRs reporting, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve reporting practices.