ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS DISPOSAL OF EXPIRED MEDICINE AT RUBAARE HEALTH CENTRE IV, RUBAARE SUB COUNTY, NTUNGAMO DISTRICT A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i2.18Keywords:
Attitude, Practices, Expired Medicine, Rubaare Health Centre IVAbstract
Background
The improper disposal of expired medicines is a significant health issue in Uganda; anecdotal evidence indicates that expired medicines are often disposed of in ways that are environmentally unfriendly or unsafe. This study, therefore, aims to determine the Attitude and Practices towards the disposal of expired medicines among health workers at Rubaare Health Center IV, Rubaare sub-county, Ntungamo district.
Methodology
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design with a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected on a sample size of 50 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires; later analyzed by use of tally sheets and computed into percentages using the Microsoft Excel program with illustrated figures and tables.
Results
The study recorded the highest response rate from males (90%) and a lower rate (10%) from females, the majority, 46% being nurses and the least, 2% anesthetists. Generally, there was a positive attitude towards the disposal of expired medicines, with 72% of health workers acknowledging its importance for environmental protection and public safety. Despite this positive outlook, 60% of the health workers expressed concern about the lack of proper infrastructure, such as incinerators or specialized disposal bins, at the health facility.
Common disposal practices included returning medicines to suppliers (30%) and disposal in general waste bins 22%, which are contrary to best practices outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). While health workers understood the risks of improper expired medicine disposal, structural and logistical challenges prevented them from adhering to guidelines.
Conclusion
There was an overall improvement in attitude and practices towards disposal of expired medicines among health workers at Rubaare Health Center IV; however, practices lagged probably due to inadequate infrastructures.
Recommendation
The health center should maintain and expand waste disposal infrastructures, including incinerators. Securing pharmaceutical waste collection points and policy enforcement on expired medicine disposal.
References
Alabi et.al. (2017). Patients may also keep medicines in their houses because they need to use them in the future.
Clinical Toxicology et al. (2021). Health workers play a key role in ensuring the safe disposal of expired medications.
Ekanem et. al. (2017). Expired medicines that are not safely managed can cause health hazards if they are reused or consumed.
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