Abstract:
Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are not frequently reported in Ghana. Studies overseas have linked under-reporting of ADRs to low awareness of adverse drug reactions reporting schemes, low prevalence of severe adverse drug reactions, and gender differences. In Ghana, these factors have not been examined extensively.
Objectives: The general objective of this study was to determine factors that influenced reporting of adverse drug reactions among patients with hypertension on calcium channel blockers attending the Trust hospital. The knowledge of patients on ADRs reporting schemes was assessed as well as their ability to identify ADRs associated with calcium channel blockers. The prevalence of ADRs reporting in the study population was also determined.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 423 patients. The study participants were selected using systemic randomized sampling technique. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate data analysis were performed using STATA 14IC. Chi square and logistic regression were used to determine the association between independent variables and the outcome variable (adverse drug reaction reporting) at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of ADRs reporting in the study population was 39.6%. Awareness of ADRs reporting schemes was also low, as only 31.9% of patients exhibited adequate knowledge on ADRs reporting schemes. Majority of study participants (51%)
displayed insufficient ability to identify ADRs associated with calcium channel blockers. The odds of reporting adverse drug reactions was 5 times higher among patients who experienced severe adverse drug reactions as compared to those who experienced mild adverse drug reactions (AOR= 4.89, 95% CI,2.40-9.95). Also, the odds of reporting adverse drug reactions was 3 times higher among patients who exhibited sufficient adverse drug reactions identification ability as compared to those who exhibited insufficient adverse drug reactions identification ability (AOR= 3.42 ,95% CI, 1.78-6.63).
Conclusion and Recommendation: The main predictors of adverse drug reactions in the study population were patients’ adverse drug reactions identification ability and severity of adverse drug reactions experienced by patients. The inability of majority of patients to identify adverse drug reactions satisfactorily, may result in addition of yet another drug to manage the symptoms, making them more susceptible to ADRs. Healthcare professionals at the Trust hospital must educate patients on adverse drug reactions they are likely to experience while on calcium channel blocker therapy as well as the need to report every ADRs they experience.
