RESUMO
Background: Environmental contamination with antimicrobial agents is one of the leading drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. However, scarce data exists concerning the factors fueling unsafe disposal of medicines globally. This study aimed to assess for the knowledge, practices, and barriers concerning safe disposal of unwanted medicines among health professions students (HPS) at Makerere University, Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online assessment tool sent through WhatsApp groups and E-mail addresses of undergraduate HPS at the College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Uganda between 1stFebruary and 16thMarch 2022.Good knowledge was defined as a score of 80% of the knowledge domain questions on a standardized questionnaire. Results: We enrolled 205 participants, 135 (65.9%) were male, with a median age of 23 (range: 19 -43) years. Overall, 157 (76%) participants had good Knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 63%. About half (n=102, 49.8%) of the participants had unused medicines kept at their respective residential places, mainly antibiotics (27%, ×/102) and analgesics (21 %, ×/102). The most common method of medicine disposal was dumping into household garbage (n=103, 50.2%). Only 37 (18%) of participants had ever used the take-back method of medicine disposal. The most reported barriers for safe disposal were inadequate knowledge and insufficient advice from the dispensers concerning safe disposal practices. Year of study was the only factor significantly associated with knowledge about safe disposal of medicines, (adjusted Odds Ratio: 9.7, 95%CI 2.3 - 40.5, p= 0.002), with participants in higher academic years having more knowledge than those in lower years. Conclusion: Despite a good knowledge level among the participants, the practice of safe disposal of unused medicines remains suboptimal in this population. Strategies aimed at enhancing safe disposal practices such as giving proper instructions to medicine buyers by dispensers regarding disposal practices are recommended to abate the growing burden of AMR.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Involvement of undergraduate health professions students (HPS) in research will facilitate evidence-based clinical practice among future healthcare practitioners. This study aimed to assess research involvement among undergraduate HPS students and associated factors in Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online assessment tool sent through WhatsApp groups and E-mail addresses of HPS in 12 medical schools in Uganda between 20th September and 5th October 2021. RESULTS: We enrolled 398 participants with a mean age of 23.9 ± 3.7 years. Of this, 267 (67.1%) were male. One hundred twenty (30.2%) participants previously participated in a research activity: 90 (58.4%) as research assistants, 39 (25.3%) published as first authors, and 25 (16.2%) as co-authors. Training on the conduct of research was received by 242 (65.8%) participants, and 326 (81.9%) had intentions of conducting research in the future. Factors influencing participation in research activities were, age ≥ 25 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.9, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.2-3.2, p = 0.012), being male (aOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.2-3.6, p = 0.008), and being in a clinical year i.e., year 3 (aOR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.1-9.3, p = 0.033), year 4 (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1-9.5, p = 0.028) and year 5(aOR: 11.6, 95% CI: 3.2-42.1, p < 0.001). Lack of funds (79.6%), and mentorship (63.3%) were reported as major barriers to research. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high proportion of HPS showing interest in getting involved in research, less than one-third reported previous involvement. Addressing barriers such as funding could potentially improve research involvement and output among undergraduate HPS in resource-limited settings.
