Expired medicine storage and Disposal: A descriptive cross sectional, questionnaire-based study to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among medical and nursing students of Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital.
Authors: koushik Mazumder, sonai Mandal
Keywords: Expired medicine, Environmental hazards, pharmaceutical waste.
Abstract:
Abstract:
Background
Expired medicines are a source of environmental hazards leading to public health problems if not dispose according to guideline. It is expected from future healthcare professionals that they could give the leadership to other parts of the society in managing the issue more sensitively. This study among medical & nursing students will help to estimate the base line understanding for further course of cations.
Aim / objectives: To assess Knowledge, attitude and practices of storage and disposal of expired medicine, among medical & nursing students of Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 medical and nursing students of Bankura Sammilani Medical College hospital in westbengal. Out of 250 only 122 had given the consent for taking part in the study. They were provided a pre validated structured questionnaire set in Google Form to assess their knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding expired and leftover medicine as per WHO guideline within 4 days window to respond. Data collection, tabulation and analysis and report generation took one month to complete. (May- June’2023).The data were entered and analysed in excel sheet using Descriptive statistics and results were presented in the form of percentage using bar & pie diagram with statements.
Results
92% cases, students responded in favour of having adequate knowledge about expired medicine. 100 students (68%) responded that there is no “Medicine take back System’ in place in their city. 70% cases students had shown right attitude about expired medicine. 109 students (89%) said they use to store ‘Over the counter’ drug prior hand.68% cases, students affirmed right practice about expired medicine.85 students (70%) responded that they would like to return back expired medicine to the pharmacy if opportunity exist.
Conclusion
The major study participants dispose expired medicine with household waste against recommended. Though adequate knowledge is there, deficit seen in practices and in attitude.
Keywords: Expired medicine, Environmental hazards, pharmaceutical waste.
