Knowledge and Practices Related to Unused Medications in Households in Serbia

Abstract

Background:The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge and practices regarding expired medications and to identify their potential predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, between August and November of 2014 in Regional Community Primary Health Care centre in Serbia on 609 patients. The research instrument was the questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: The lack of knowledge about the treatment of expired medications had 67.5% respondents, while 87.3% of the respondents had inappropriate practice. In the model of multivariate logistic regression with lack of knowledge as dependent variable, statistically significant predictors were: unemployment (OR=2.21; 95%CI: 1.35-3.59), lower economic status (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.01-2.58), unread instructions for use (OR=3.26; 95% CI: 1.51-7.02), unchecked medications' expiration date (OR=3.30; 95% CI: 1.22-8.92). In the second model of multivariate logistic regression with inappropriate practice as dependant variable, statistically significant predictors were: the lower education level (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.09-2.80), unemployment (OR=2.66; 95% CI: 1.17-6.05), families with members incapable of taking care of their medicines independently (OR=0.27; 95% CI: 0.12-0.61) and lack of knowledge (OR=4.09; 95% CI: 2.31-7.23). Conclusion: Our study shows that there is a need for stronger control of the implementation of legally defined procedures for disposal of medications, as well as a proactive education of population about proper disposal of medications.

Development, translation, and validation of a bilingual questionnaire on unused medications in homes

“…A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies on various aspects of unused medications such as reasons for disuse, sources, storage, and disposal methods ( Abruquah et al, 2014 , Ryan and Wagner, 2003 ). Publicly available items with similar ideas to this study’s objective were adapted ( Terzic-Supic et al, 2019 , West, 2015 ). Some adapted items were modified to suit Qatar's context.…”

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Tingkat Pengetahuan Masyarakat dalam Mengelola Obat Sisa, Obat Rusak dan Obat Kedaluarsa

“…Responden yang tidak bekerja memiliki tingkat pengetahuan yang lebih rendah. Hal tersebut dikarenakan lingkungan kerja memungkinkan seseorang akan memperoleh pengalaman dan pengetahuan baik secara langsung maupun tidak langsung 30 . Untuk uji korelasi antara penghasilan dan tingkat pengetahuan didapatkan hasil nilai signifikansi p yakni 0,003 sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa penghasilan mempunyai hubungan secara signifikan terhadap tingkat pengetahuan responden.…”

“…Masyarakat dengan usia lanjut sudah tidak bisa mengingat dengan baik terkait informasi yang telah diperoleh, sehingga apoteker harus memberikan KIE secara intensif terhadap masyarakat dengan usia lanjut. Pada faktor penghasilan, masyarakat dengan penghasilan rendah memiliki sedikit kemungkinan untuk berinteraksi dengan pelayanan kesehatan dikarenakan adanya keterbatasan biaya 30 , sehingga apoteker dapat melakukan KIE melalui penyuluhan langsung ke masyarakat atau dapat melakukan pembagian leaflet/poster/brosur agar dapat dibaca oleh masyarakat luas.…”

Awareness towards Disposal of Unused Medication in District Shaheed Benazirabad Sindh

“…Despite of presence of such guidelines people practice improper disposal methods [39][40][41] Whereas medicine user are seldomly informed about proper disposal methods. [42][43][44].The available scientific literature agrees that the improper disposal of unused medicine is unequivocally due to lack of knowledge and awareness about proper disposal of unused medicine [45,46] . The objective of this study was to examine how people dispose unused medicines and document the level of awareness about proper disposal of unused drug in residents of Shaheed Benazir Abad Sindh.…”