ABSTRACT
Background: Hazards to the environment due to improper drug disposal practices is an issue of concern. The prescription drugs, disposed into trash /sewage, consequently enter into surface waters and contaminate even drinking water. In view of the potential hazards posed due to improper storage and disposal of medicines, evaluation of the awareness of the consumers and educating them about proper disposal methods is required. The aim of present study was to evaluate the awareness and practice of drug disposal among the population.Methods: A cross sectional, observational study was conducted at Rural Health Centre (RHTC) of Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre with the patients visiting the RHTC as the study subjects. A predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by the respondents.Results: On analysis it was observed that 80 (57%) of the respondents procure medicines from health care centre. A total of 97 (69%) respondents possess unused/leftover medicines at home, 54 (39%) of the respondents mentioned the reason to be due to self discontinuation. Among the class of drugs left unused antibiotics constituted 13%, antipyretics 6%, analgesics 6%. 49% of the respondents dispose unused medicines in domestic trash, 24% flush down toilet/sink. A majority of 121 (86%) opined that awareness must be made created.Conclusions: In present study it was observed that many of the respondents possessed leftover medicines and were unaware of the hazards of improper disposal of medicines. Thus, there is a need for proper educational and regulatory interventions.
ABSTRACT
Os medicamentos são ferramentas imprescindíveis para o estabelecimento da saúde e requerem cuidados quanto ao seu armazenamento e descarte. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a forma de armazenamento e descarte de medicamentos por estudantes da área da saúde de uma universidade pública paranaense. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com os estudantes dos cursos de Enfermagem,Farmácia e Medicina da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, por meio da aplicação de um questionário auto respondível. A coleta de dados foi executada nas salas de aula da própria universidade entre os meses de maio a junho de 2014, resultando em 564 estudantes entrevistados. Considerou-se descarte correto quando o estudante referisse destinar os medicamentos vencidos ou inapropriados ao uso em locais que fazem o recolhimento destes produtos. Os estudantes apresentaram idade média de 21,0 anos (desvio padrão: 3,3); sendo 74,1% do sexo feminino. O quarto foi o principal local citado para o armazenamento dos medicamentos (47,8%), sendo que a maioria os mantém fora do alcance das crianças (82,6%). Quanto à verificação do prazo de validade, 60,1% dos estudantes realizam esta prática. A maioria (64,5%) guarda as sobras de tratamentos para futura utilização, sendo o lixo doméstico (63,0%) o principal local citado para o descarte dos que estão vencidos. Apenas 20,7% descartavam os medicamentos corretamente. A população em estudo realiza um correto armazenamento dos medicamentos, no entanto, grande parte desconhece a existência de locais de recolhimento e promove o descarte inadequado dos mesmos, assim,faz-se necessário a criação de medidas para conscientização e orientação dos futuros profissionais.
Medicines are indispensable tools for the health establishment and care is required in their storage and disposal. This study aimed to verify the form of storage and disposal of medicines by students from the Health Sciences Department of a public university in Paraná. A cross-sectional study was conducted with students of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine courses from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, through the application of a self-report study. The data collection was performed in the Universitys classrooms during the months of May to June of 2014, resulting in 564 students surveyed. It was considered proper disposal when the student referred to disposing the expired or inappropriate for use products inlocations that make the collection of these products. The students interviewed had a mean age of 21.0 years (Standart Deviation: 3.3); 74.1% of the total were female. The bedroom was the main location quoted forstorage of medicines (47.8%) most of them keep the medicines out of reach of children (82.6%). Regarding the verification of the expiration date 60.1% of the students do this practice. Most of (64.5%) keeps there mains of treatments for future use, and household waste (63.0%) was the main mentioned location for the disposal of those who are expired. Only 20.7% discarded the medicines correctly. The study population stores the products correctly, however, most are largely unaware of the disposal locations. There fore, it isnecessary to promote awareness and guidance for the future professionals.