Disposal practice and determinants of unused medicines among the general public in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22086091 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lamrot Yohannes (0000-0001-5212-5444, University of Gondar, corresponding author), Addisu Afrassa Tegegne (0000-0002-3855-7213, University of Gondar), Gebremariam Genet (University of Gondar), Liknaw Workie Limenh (0000-0002-9680-6134, University of Gondar), Abdulwase Mohammed Seid (University of Gondar), Tekletsadik Tekleslassie Alemayehu (University of Gondar), Wondim Ayenew (0000-0001-8504-8430, University of Gondar), Wudneh Simegn (University of Gondar) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1516809-1516809 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-27 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1516809 |
| PMID | 40084200 |
| OpenAlex | W4407995338 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 53 |
Introduction The inappropriate disposal of unused medicines poses significant risks to public health and the environment. Gondar City, located in Northwest Ethiopia, is not exempt from this problem. However, little is known about the current disposal practices and the determinants influencing those practices in this specific context. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the disposal practices of unused medicines among the general public in Gondar City and to identify the factors that influence these practices. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from the general public in Gondar City from July 30 to August 30, 2023. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire to gather information on disposal practices and determinants that could influence disposal practices. Results A total of 845 respondents were involved in this study with a response rate of 93%. 56.9% of the respondents had poor disposal practices. Lower educational status [AOR = 2.76 (CI: 1.59, 4.79)]; p < 0.01, having a chronic disease [AOR = 1.79 (CI: 1.22, 2.64)]; p < 0.05, and poor knowledge toward disposal practices [AOR = 1.56 (CI: 1.12, 2.18)]; p < 0.05 were identified as significant determinants influencing poor disposal practices. Conclusion There is an improper disposal practice of unused medicines in the study area. Lower educational status, having a chronic disease, and poor knowledge toward disposal practices were found to be significant factors. The finding underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve the safe disposal of unused medicines in Gondar City. Comprehensive educational campaigns should be launched to increase public awareness about the risks of improper disposal and promote safe disposal practices. The establishment of accessible and convenient disposal facilities or return programs should be prioritized
Environmental health · Environmental planning · Geography · Public health · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Traditional medicine · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Medicine · Nursing · Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts · Pharmaceutical Quality and Counterfeiting
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| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |