ISSN : 2663-2187

Healthcare professionals’ perspective regarding the disposal of medicine: a cross-sectional study

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Deshkar A, Sonali Rode, Harsh Salankar, Nishikant Ingole
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.15.2024.12442-12450

Abstract

Introduction: Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines may lead to many environmental and health problems. Healthcare professionals can guide people regarding disposal of medicine, but for that it is important to know their own perspective regarding this. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists on the disposal of unused and expired medicines. Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at tertiary care hospital of Maharashtra. Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) who were given a structured, pretested questionnaire containing 20 questions. A total of 292 questionnaires were collected and analysed. Results: Analysing the methods to dispose of medicines, 61.30% throw in household garbage, 34.25% give to friends and relatives while 4.45% flush in a toilet or sink. 95.12% agreed that it is everyone’s responsibility to dispose of medicine properly. 92.81% of participants felt that this study increased their awareness about the disposal of unused and expired medicines. Conclusion: Though the attitude of health care professionals towards proper disposal of unused and expired medicines is positive, there is inadequate knowledge and improper practice of the same which need to be addressed.

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