Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers toward ADR reporting regarding thiopurine drugs for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

ackground: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the use of thiopurine chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are critical for healthcare professionals. Thiopurines are associated with varying levels of toxicity, including myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, and gastrointestinal intolerance. Approximately 20% of ALL patients discontinue thiopurine therapy due to toxicity and other adverse events. This study aims to assess the KAP of healthcare providers (HCPs) concerning thiopurine drugs used in the treatment of ALL in hospital wards in Northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 161 HCPs at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 1, 2023, to August 30, 2023. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using cross tabulation, and both crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with a 95% confidence interval. Variables