Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice towards drug-drug interactions among postgraduates in tertiary care hospital, Kurnool

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are changes in a drug’s effects due to concurrent use of another drug. Clinically significant interactions lead to undesired adverse effects, therapeutic failure, toxicity or may even cause death of the patients. The Aim is to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Postgraduates regarding DDIs and implementation of educational program may enhance patient’s safety.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among postgraduates in all clinical departments of Government general hospital, Kurnool in the month of October 2021. Pre-validated questionnaire was used to assess the KAP. It contains demographic data, knowledge and practice questions related to DDIs and attitude towards the preferable sources of drug interaction information. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 26.Results: Out of 220 questionnaires distributed, 126 postgraduates submitted with complete answers(n=126). Overall response rate is 57%. By using the Bloom’s cut-off points, most of the respondents (43.5%) had low level of knowledge towards DDIs. Even respondents with high knowledge level (19%) are not practicing the drug interaction screening during the admission of patients. Majority of PGs with low level knowledge agreed to ask doctors than pharmacist about DDIs and prefer to search for DDIs using reference book than online mode as the source of drug information.Conclusions: In my study, most of the respondents had insufficient knowledge to prevent life threatening DDI’s. So, there is a need to increase medical educational program regarding the importance of screening and assessing of DDI’s before prescribing medicines.