Table 3 Factor analysis

1. Children are more vulnerable to the risks associated with unused/expired household medications

9

0.896

2. Take-back programs for unused/expired medications should be mandatory

9

0.875

3. There is a lack of adequate information on the safe disposal of unused/expired household medications

9

0.874

4. Unused/expired medications present a potential risk at home

9

0.865

5. Healthcare professionals provide advice on the safe disposal of unused/expired medications

9

0.625

6. What type of medications can be flushed down the toilet? (None)

5

0.696

7. What is the best method for medication disposal? (Ask a healthcare professional about the best way to dispose of medications)

3

0.657

8. Does improper disposal of expired medications affect the environment and health? (Yes)

6

0.624

9. How should medications (toxic and non-toxic) be disposed of in the garbage bin at home? (Mixed with unwanted substances then placed in a sealed container (like a zipper storage bag) and then thrown in the trash)

4

0.586

10. Do medications reach groundwater if thrown in the toilet/sink? (Yes)

7

0.564

11. What is the “medication take-back system” used in some countries? (Medication sharing or donation)

2

0.429

12. Which one of the following can be considered medication waste? (Expired medications)

1

0.800

13. Which one of the following can be considered medication waste? (Damaged medications that cannot be used)

1

0.790

14. Which one of the following can be considered medication waste? (Once opened medications and beyond their recommended use date)

1

0.657

15. Which one of the following can be considered medication waste? (Leftover medications)

1

0.835

16. Does the improper disposal of antibiotics lead to antimicrobial resistance? (Yes)

8

0.516

Percentage variance explained

56.11

25.30

13.32

9.97

7.50

Cronbach alpha

0.784

0.884

0.659

0.607

0.206

Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO)

0.823

Bartlett’s test of sphericity

 < 0.001

1. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (Dispense only as required)

2

0.872

2. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (Give proper advice to consumer)

2

0.800

3. Do you think that there is a need for a program to collect unused medicines from home? (Yes)

1

0.724

4. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (Donate non-expired unused medications to those in need)

2

0.703

5. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (Prescribe medications rationally)

2

0.677

6. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (others)

2

0.872

7. In your opinion, what are the options for reducing medication waste? (Return to pharmacies)

2

0.624

Percentage variance explained

63.18

32.49

15.87

14.81

Cronbach alpha

0.598

0.679

0.556

0.301

Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO)

0.690

Bartlett’s test of sphericity

 < 0.001

1. What do you do with expired medications? (Return it to the pharmacy)

5

0.763

2. What do you do with non-expired unused medications? (Return it to the pharmacy)

4

0.703

3. In which form do you discard medications? (I mix it with unwanted substances (such as used coffee grounds) before discarding)

6

0.575

4. Where do you usually store your unused, leftover, or expired medications? (storage room)

2

0.439

5. Do you check the expiry date of medications before buying them? (Yes)

1

0.842

6. Do you usually read medication disposal instructions? (Yes)

3

0.588

7. What do you do with non-expired unused medications? (Donate to charitable institutions)

4

0.401

8. Where do you usually store your unused, leftover, or expired medications? (refrigerator)

2

0.372

Percentage variance explained

40.01

25.52

14.48

Cronbach alpha

0.545

0.513

0.374

Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO)

0.675

Bartlett’s test of sphericity

 < 0.001