Objective   To examine the status and influencing factors of cognition on adverse drug reaction (ADR) among community residents in Henan province and to provide a basis for promoting safe medication in the population.

  Methods   Using a self-designed anonymous questionnaire and simple random sampling, we conducted a across-sectional survey among 2 146 urban and rural residents in 15 municipalities of Henan province between July and September 2016. We adopted descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis in data analyses.

  Results   The awareness rate of ADR was 74.00% (1 588/2 146) and the rate rose with the upgrade of education level (P < 0.05) among the respondents. Compared to the respondents with other occupations and other ages, the medical workers and those aged 20 – 39 years showed highest awareness rate (98/110, P < 0.05; 878/1 150, P < 0.05). The correct definition of ADR was recognized by 57.83 % (1 241/2 146) of all the respondents and 63.66 % (1 011/1 588) of the respondents being aware of ADR. Logistic regression analyses showed that significant factors affecting the way of ADR management were gender, with the education of technical secondary school, being a medical worker, working as civil servant or a company staff, and being retired.

  Conclusion   The awareness of ADR is at a general level but the awareness of the necessity of ADR reporting and the procedure of ADR reporting are poor among community residents in Henan province, suggesting that education on ADR needs to be promoted among the population for safe medication.