Public awareness, perceptions and practices of disposal of medicines

The disposal of unused and expired medicines had been a concern in worldwide as pharmaceutical substances that found in ecosystem ultimately can give effects to both human health and environment. An understanding of the awareness and level of perceptions in management of unused and expired medicines among general public may thus be helpful in promoting a healthier environment. The aims for this study are to evaluate the awareness, level of perceptions and practice of medicines disposal among general public. It is also conducted to find any significant associations between awareness, perceptions and practice of medicines disposal with demographic background. This study is a cross sectional study and was done in Kubang Pasu, Kedah. Respondents were approached randomly at bus stops, shopping mall, pharmacy and residential areas. There were 4 main sections in the questionnaire which were demographic background, awareness of correct medicines disposal, perception of medicine disposal and respondent current practice of medicine disposal. ajority of them were female (53.8%) ranging from 18-34 years old (51.5%), had 5 or more number of people in household (68.2%), had at least 3 or more children (30.3%) under age 18 in their household, number of adult aged more than 65 (66.7%) in their household and had responsibility to provide care to the children or adults (80.3%) in their household. There were moderate awareness on correct medicines disposal with the "correct response" percentages for the awareness related items ranging from 40% to 60%. Age, gender, ethnicity, number of people in household, number of children and adults in household and responsibility to provide care to any children or adults in household were found statistically significantly associated with the awareness, perceptions and practices of medicines disposal. The results of this study could contribute positively in the future to provide and disseminate information more to the public to increase the level of awareness and perception of medicines disposal as well as improved the current practice of medicines disposal done by the public.