Table 4 Descriptive results related to Knowledge questions
Frequency (%) | |
|---|---|
1. Which one of the following can be considered medication waste? | |
Expired medications | |
Yes* | 625 (85.0%) |
No | 110 (15.0%) |
Leftover medications | |
Yes* | 209 (28.4%) |
No | 526 (71.6%) |
Damaged medications that cannot be used | |
Yes* | 641 (87.2%) |
No | 94 (12.8%) |
Once opened medications and beyond their recommended use date | |
Yes* | 532 (2.4%) |
No | 203 (7.6%) |
2. What is the “medication take-back system” used in some countries? | |
a. Medication disposal | 91 (12.4%) |
b. Medication sharing or donation* | 182 (24.8%) |
c. I don’t know | 462 (62.9%) |
3. What is the best method for medication disposal? | |
a. Throw it in the garbage | 91 (12.4%) |
b. Flush in the toilet or sink | 41 (5.6%) |
c. Ask a healthcare professional about the best way to dispose of medications* | 422 (57.4%) |
d. I don’t know | 181 (24.6%) |
4. How should medications (toxic and non-toxic) be disposed of in the garbage bin at home? | |
a. As it is | 98 (13.3%) |
b. Crushed before discarding | 75 (10.2%) |
c. Mixed with unwanted substances then placed in a sealed container (like a zipper storage bag) and then thrown in the trash* | 180 (24.5%) |
d. I don’t know | 382 (52.0%) |
5. What type of medications can be flushed down the toilet? | |
a. Any type of medication | 62 (8.4%) |
b. None* | 332 (45.2%) |
c. I don’t know | 341 (46.4%) |
6. Does improper disposal of expired medications affect the environment and health? | |
a. Yes* | 503 (68.4%) |
b. No | 50 (6.8%) |
c. I don’t know | 182 (24.8%) |
7. Do medications reach groundwater if thrown in the toilet/sink? | |
a. Yes* | 381 (51.8%) |
b. No | 73 (9.9%) |
c. I don’t know | 281 (38.2%) |
8. Does the improper disposal of antibiotics lead to antimicrobial resistance? | |
a. Yes* | 207 (28.2%) |
b. No | 100 (13.6%) |
c. I don’t know | 428 (58.2%) |
Answer the following statements to the best of your knowledge | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree* | |
Unused/expired medications present a potential risk at home | 82 (11.2%) | 88 (12.0%) | 197 (26.8%) | 209 (28.4%) | 159 (21.6%) |
Children are more vulnerable to the risks associated with unused/expired household medications | 64 (8.7%) | 83 (11.3%) | 165 (22.4%) | 184 (25.0%) | 239 (32.5%) |
There is a lack of adequate information on the safe disposal of unused/expired household medications | 86 (11.7%) | 63 (8.6%) | 165 (22.4%) | 180 (24.5%) | 241 (32.8%) |
Healthcare professionals provide advice on the safe disposal of unused/expired medications | 104 (14.1%) | 175 (23.8%) | 241 (32.8%) | 151 (20.5%) | 64 (8.7%) |
Take-back programs for unused/expired medications should be mandatory | 82 (11.2%) | 72 (9.8%) | 194 (26.4%) | 178 (24.2%) | 209 (28.4%) |