Cross-sectional Study of Pharmacovigilance Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Based on Structural Equation Modeling: A Case Study of Healthcare Personnel and the Public in Yunnan Province

Abstract

Abstract Background: This study used SEM to investigate pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare personnel and the public in Yunnan Province and explored the relationships between them. Demographic characteristics were also examined for their impact on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The study aims to inform the development of policies and education programs aimed at improving pharmacovigilance. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a survey design, with healthcare personnel and the public in Yunnan Province as the research subjects, and data were collected using a questionnaire survey. Data analysis and statistical description were performed using SPSS 27.0, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was constructed and analyzed using AMOS 26.0. Results: This study collected 209 public questionnaires and 823 healthcare personnel questionnaires. The public's average pharmacovigilance knowledge score was 4.62±2.70, with a total awareness rate of 57.75%, an average attitude score of 31.99±4.72, a total holding rate of 91.40%, and an average behavior score of 12.07±4.96, with a total execution rate of 75.44%. The average pharmacovigilance knowledge score of healthcare personnel was 4.38±3.06, with a total awareness rate of 87.60%; the average attitude score was 27.95±3.34, with a total holding rate of 93.17%; and the average behavior score was 7.75±2.77, with a total execution rate of 77.50%. Both public and healthcare personnel KAP models showed a significant positive correlation between pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitude, and behavior. Demographic characteristics had no statistical significance on public pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitude, and behavior, while they had a positive impact on healthcare personnel's pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitude, and behavior, except for gender. Conclusion: This study revealed that the current status of pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitude, and behavior among healthcare personnel and the public in Yunnan Province is not optimistic, with significant differences between the two groups. The SEM results show that there is a significant positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and behavior, and demographic factors such as age, occupation, and highest education level have an impact on the KAP of pharmacovigilance. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen pharmacovigilance education, improve the public's awareness and understanding of pharmacovigilance, and promote the reasonable and safe use of drugs.