Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding proper disposal of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22088764 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Addisu Afrassa Tegegne (0000-0002-3855-7213, University of Gondar, corresponding author), Gebremariam Genet (University of Gondar), Liknaw Workie Limenh (0000-0002-9680-6134, University of Gondar), Lamrot Yohannes (0000-0001-5212-5444, 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 | 2024 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Pages | 1372739-1372739 |
| Publication date | 2024-06-12 |
| 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.2024.1372739 |
| PMID | 38932773 |
| OpenAlex | W4399568091 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 32 |
Background: Proper disposal of unwanted medicines, in addition to reducing wastage, has a positive impact on the environment and public health. Improper disposal of medications increases the risk of accidental poisonings, particularly among children. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and awareness regarding the proper disposal of unused medicines in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. Method: -value of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine statistical significance. Result: From 786 study participants, the overall knowledge and attitude of the community toward the proper disposal of unused medicines were 42.6 and 42.9%, respectively. Factors identified in this study included ages between 19 and 25 [AOR = 6.91, 95% CI: (3.45, 13.84); education level: secondary [AOR = 11.82, 95% CI: (1.01, 3.29)] and college and above [AOR = 5.68, 95% CI: (2.25, 14.30)]; prior information [AOR = 6.41; 95% CI: (4.02, 10.22)]; and good attitudes [AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: (1.47, 3.02)]] as factors associated with good knowledge toward proper disposal of unused medicines. In addition, receiving information [AOR = 1.86 95% CI: (1.22, 2.86)], taking medication in the past 6 months [AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: (1.09, 2.38)], and being knowledgeable [AOR = 2.07 95% CI: (1.46, 2.94)] were factors contributing to positive attitudes toward the disposal of unused medicines among the general public. Furthermore, approximately 369 participants (46.9%) in our study lacked awareness about the harmful effects of disposing of unused medicine in regular waste. Conclusion: A relatively low level of knowledge and attitudes about the proper disposal of unused medications is present in the community. In this regard, a well-coordinated and methodical public awareness campaign is recommended to disseminate information and promote the appropriate disposal of unused medications
Accidental · Confidence interval · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Logistic regression · Public health · Statistical significance · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management · Medicine · Nursing · Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |