Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Unused Medications Disposal among Patients Visiting Public Health Centers in Gondar Town, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Table 2
Knowledge of respondents about unused medicines disposal in public health centers of Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, September 2021 (n = 404).
Variables
Frequency (%)
Do you know about medication waste?
Yes
286 (70.8)
No
118 (29.2)
If yes which one of the following can be considered as medicines waste?
Expired medicines
188 (65.7)
Leftover medicines due to some reasons
114 (39.8)
Damaged medicines that cannot be used
108 (37.7)
Once opened medication and beyond their recommended day of use
89 (31.1)
Did you check the expiry date of your medication?
Yes
239 (59.2)
No
165 (40.8)
Do you ever read or hear medicines disposal instructions?
Yes
255 (63.1)
No
149 (36.7)
Do you know that inappropriate unused medicines disposal can cause harm?
Yes
357 (88.4)
No
47 (11.6)
What could be the possible harm associated with inappropriate medicine disposal?
It can contaminate the environment
167 (41.7)
It can kill wildlife
110 (27.2)
Can cause accidental swallow by children
285 (70.5)
Others
5 (1.23)
How could be the hazardous effect of unused and expired medicines minimized or controlled?
Providing proper guidance to the consumer
266 (65.8)
Prescribing in quantities and for a duration that ensures patient compliance
102 (25.2)
Lowering the number of prescribed medicines by doctors
39 (9.7)
Donating or sharing the unused medicines
27 (6.7)
Others
2 (0.49)
Who is responsible to create awareness for the community about the proper disposal of unused and expired medicines?
