Improper disposal of unused antibiotics: an often overlooked driver of antimicrobial resistance

Anwar, Muhammad; Iqbal, Qaiser; Saleem, Fahad

doi:10.1080/14787210.2020.1754797

Cited by 54 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(10 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While self-medication seemed to be less prevalent than reported by other studies in medical students [21,36], almost half of VS were likely to interrupt treatment before its completion if they felt better. Most respondents disposed of left-over antibiotics inappropriately by burying or throwing them together with household waste, which increases the risk of environmental contamination [6,37]. Almost a fifth kept leftovers for future use, presumably without proper guidelines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Veterinary Students in Bangladesh

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of antibiotics in animals for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes is a major driver of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While several studies have investigated prescription and consumption patterns in humans, little attention has been paid to the veterinary sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3002 veterinary students (VS) and non-medical students (NMS) from 12 universities in Bangladesh to explore their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about antibiotics and AMR using a self-administered questionnaire, and assess the influence of the veterinary curriculum. KAP regarding antibiotic use and AMR was significantly higher in veterinary than non-medical students, and in first-year than final-year students. However, gaps in knowledge and practices were highlighted, suggesting deficiencies in training. Moreover, final-year veterinary students were found to be more likely than first-year students to use antibiotics without instructions, which could indicate deficiencies in their curriculum. Although the study suggested a positive impact of the veterinary curriculum on KAP about antibiotics and AMR in Bangladesh, critical gaps remain that are likely to contribute to inadequate use in their future practice. Therefore, there is scope for improving educational programs on AMR in professional curricula.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Veterinary Students in Bangladesh

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The participants in our study commonly exhibited poor practices in disposing of antimicrobials through burning, and dumping with general waste including in rubbish pits. Poor disposal of antimicrobials is recognized as a global challenge because antimicrobial residues in environmental locations such as soil and water can drive AMR development [ 23 ]. While progress is being made in high-income countries by establishing national drug disposal systems such as drug return for safe disposal, evidence on how this can be implemented and sustained in LMICs is still sparse [ 23 , 24 , 48 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Poor disposal of antimicrobials is recognized as a global challenge because antimicrobial residues in environmental locations such as soil and water can drive AMR development [ 23 ]. While progress is being made in high-income countries by establishing national drug disposal systems such as drug return for safe disposal, evidence on how this can be implemented and sustained in LMICs is still sparse [ 23 , 24 , 48 ]. In addition, poor drug disposal practices are associated with low awareness of proper disposal mechanisms [ 23 , 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While progress is being made in high-income countries by establishing national drug disposal systems such as drug return for safe disposal, evidence on how this can be implemented and sustained in LMICs is still sparse [ 23 , 24 , 48 ]. In addition, poor drug disposal practices are associated with low awareness of proper disposal mechanisms [ 23 , 26 ]. Although a study in Ethiopia showed high awareness of the environmental impacts of poor antimicrobial disposal, there existed a gap between knowledge and practice due to the contextual factor of lack of a suitable drug disposal system at community level [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, antimicrobial residues are extensively found in the environment including soil and water [ 20 ]. Environmental exposure of microbes to antimicrobials is aggravated by their poor disposal particularly in LMICs [ 23 ]. Inappropriate disposal of antimicrobials such as dumping in the environment together with other household waste has also been documented in several studies [ 24 – 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Access, use and disposal of antimicrobials among humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda: a qualitative study

Musoke

Namata

Lubega

et al. 2021

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Inappropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition, human behaviours such as poor disposal of antimicrobials in the environment can increase their exposure to microbes which can impact on humans and animals. However, evidence on access, use and disposal of antimicrobials for humans and animals at community level in Uganda is limited. This study therefore explored access, use and disposal of antimicrobials among humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda. Methods A qualitative study was conducted that involved focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Participants of the FGDs were community health workers (CHWs) and farmers involved in animal husbandry, while key informants included: officials from the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; human and animal health professionals; district health officials; and members of the national AMR surveillance committee. Twelve FGDs were held (8 for CHWs and 4 for farmers) while 15 KIIs were conducted. Thematic analysis in NVivo (version 12) was performed. Results Five main themes emerged from the study: access to antimicrobials in humans; access to antimicrobials in animals; use of antimicrobials in humans; use of antimicrobials in animals; and disposal of antimicrobials. Community members mainly accessed antimicrobials for humans from public health facilities such as government health centres, as well as private facilities, including drug shops and clinics. Antimicrobials for animals were obtained from veterinary practitioners and drug shops (both for humans and veterinary). Examples of inappropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals was evident, such as sharing antibiotics among household members, and giving human-prescribed antimicrobials to food-producing animals as growth promoters. While some CHWs returned unused antimicrobials to public health facilities for proper disposal, community members mainly disposed of antimicrobials with general household waste including dumping in rubbish pits. Conclusions There is a need to increase awareness among the population on proper access, use and disposal of antimicrobials for both humans and animals. Development of a drug disposal system at community level would facilitate improved waste management of antimicrobials. Together, these measures would help prevent the rate of progression of AMR in communities.

show abstract

Antibiotics: Multipronged Threat to Our Environment

Amjad

Shafiq

Mehmood³

et al. 2022

Emerging Contaminants and Associated Treatment Technologies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Improper disposal of unused antibiotics: an often overlooked driver of antimicrobial resistance

Cited by 54 publications

References 10 publications

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Veterinary Students in Bangladesh

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Veterinary Students in Bangladesh

Access, use and disposal of antimicrobials among humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda: a qualitative study

Antibiotics: Multipronged Threat to Our Environment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About