Knowledge of Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting among Nurses in Gombe State, North East Nigeria

Background: Nurses occupy a frontline position in identifying and reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as part of the national pharmacovigilance system. However, underreporting by healthcare workers, including nurses, remains a major challenge in Nigeria. This study assessed nurses knowledge of pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting practices in Gombe State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 260 nurses across three hospitals in Gombe State. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of pharmacovigilance concepts, ADR reporting procedures, barriers to reporting, and prior training. Results: Knowledge of pharmacovigilance was adequate in only 29 percent of respondents. Fewer than 20 percent had ever submitted an ADR report to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre or hospital ADR committee. Main barriers to reporting included lack of awareness of reporting channels (52%), heavy workload (44%), and uncertainty about what constitutes a reportable ADR (38%). Nurses with formal pharmacovigilance training showed significantly higher reporting intent (p less than 0.01). Conclusion: Pharmacovigilance knowledge and ADR reporting among Gombe nurses are inadequate. Curriculum-based training, electronic reporting tools, and institutional encouragement are necessary to improve Nigeria's pharmacovigilance infrastructure. Keywords: pharmacovigilance, adverse drug reactions, nurses, Gombe, reporting