Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding proper disposal of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia

Tegegne, Addisu Afrassa; Genet, Gebremariam; Workie Limenh, Liknaw; Yohannes, Lamrot; Mohammed Seid, Abdulwase; Alemayehu, Tekletsadik Tekleslassie; Ayenew, Wondim; Simegn, Wudneh

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1372739

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

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Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study

Tegegne,

Mekasha,

Girma

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Prescriptions come with extensive instructions on taking medicines but provide little information about the burden of unused medicines. This issue centers around the vast quantities of unused medications accumulated in households. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar City. Method The study was conducted through a community-based cross-sectional survey in Gondar City from July 30 to August 30, 2023. The data was collected using the Kobo toolbox, exported into an Excel sheet, and then analyzed using SPSS version 27 software. Both multivariate and bivariate binary logistic regressions were performed in the data analysis. A p -value of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine statistical significance. Result The study interviewed 786 participants, with a 92.8% response rate. 55% of the 786 households surveyed kept unused medications at home, most commonly antibiotics (37%), antipyretics (17.6%), and analgesics (15%). Factors associated with having unused medicines at home included not receiving medication information (AOR = 2.327, 95% CI: 1.535, 3.527), having a chronic disease (AOR = 5.897, 95% CI: 3.667, 9.484), having health insurance coverage (AOR = 1.456, 95% CI: 1.036, 2.047), self-medicating with NSAIDs (AOR = 2.018, 95% CI: 1.396, 2.919), and poor disposal practices (AOR = 3.613, 95% CI: 2.546, 5.127). Conclusion The study found a considerable high prevalence of unused medications in Gondar City due to factors like lack of medication education, chronic conditions, insurance coverage, self-medication, and poor disposal practices. To address this, public education programs and safe disposal guidelines should be implemented to promote safer practices.

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Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study

Tegegne,

Mekasha,

Girma

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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A review on emerging pharmaceutical residues in Ethiopia: occurrence, ecotoxicological aspects, and regulatory concerns

Tegegne,

Mekasha,

Ayu

et al. 2024

Front. Microbiol.

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BackgroundPharmaceuticals are expected to improve human and animal health, but improper management and regulation have led to adverse effects such as reproductive disorders, antibiotic resistance, and biodiversity loss in ecosystems. Their presence in the environment poses significant risks, including a reduction in biodiversity, reproductive issues, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. This review aims to examine the occurrence and sources of pharmaceuticals in the environment and their ecotoxicological and regulatory aspects, with a focus on Ethiopia.MethodsA narrative review of relevant studies conducted in Ethiopia was undertaken. The review included findings on the occurrence, sources, contributing factors, ecotoxicological impacts, and regulatory concerns related to pharmaceutical residues in the environment. Literature was sourced from Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and institutional repositories.ResultThe findings revealed the detection of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater treatment facilities, aquatic environments (e.g., lakes and rivers), and commercially available animal products. Aquatic samples also showed significant concentrations, with sulfamethoxazole and fluconazole detected at 0.15 μg/L and 0.012 μg/L, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in wastewater and treatment plant samples, which correlate with the presence of pharmaceutical residues. An ecological risk assessment based on the risk quotient (RQ) revealed ciprofloxacin as a major concern, with an RQ of 8.58, indicating high ecological risk. Sulfonamides exhibited moderate risk, with RQ values ranging from 0.1 to 1.ConclusionThe study highlights the significant presence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment and underscores the inadequacy of regulatory enforcement in addressing this public health issue. Urgent measures are required to prevent environmental contamination and mitigate public health risks, including antimicrobial resistance. Strengthened regulatory measures and proactive interventions by relevant organizations are essential to control and prevent pharmaceutical residues in the environment, offering a critical solution for the country.

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Practice of Expired and Unused Drug Disposal in South Asian and Southeast Asian Countries

Borhan Uddin,

Al Samir,

Golam Mehebub Pantho

2024

Solid Waste Management [Working Title]

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The rising incidence of diseases and subsequent medication use have led to an increase in unused, expired, and unwanted medications. Improper disposal practices, prevalent in South Asian countries due to the lack of official guidelines, pose significant threats to public health and the environment. Multiple studies were conducted during the last decade across South and Southeast Asian regions, involving thousands participants. The predominant disposal methods include discarding medications in household trash or flushing them down sinks/toilets, with minimal returns to pharmacies for proper disposal. Lack of awareness, home storage of medications, and inadequate disposal methods were common trends identified. Dosage forms, particularly topical preparations, significantly influenced disposal practices. The consequences of improper disposal on human health encompass environmental contamination, antibiotic resistance, and potential physiological disruptions, emphasizing the need for education, intervention, and regulatory measures. Environmental ramifications extend to water and soil contamination, necessitating eco-friendly disposal strategies and robust medication take-back programs. Preventive measures might include improved drug management systems, community “take-back” programs, and exploring donation options for unused medications. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders, emphasizing the role of pharmacists, are crucial in establishing safe disposal guidelines and addressing pharmaceutical waste management challenges.

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Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding proper disposal of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study

Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study

A review on emerging pharmaceutical residues in Ethiopia: occurrence, ecotoxicological aspects, and regulatory concerns

Practice of Expired and Unused Drug Disposal in South Asian and Southeast Asian Countries

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