ASSESSING THE AWARENESS AND DISPOSAL PRACTICES OF UNUSED AND EXPIRED MEDICATIONS AMONG PATIENTS VISITING UBTH CONSULTANT OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT (COPD).
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Abstract
Background: Improper disposal of unused and expired medications poses public health and
environmental risks. Medications discarded in household waste or flushed into water systems
contribute to pollution, antimicrobial resistance, and accidental poisonings. This study assesses
awareness and disposal practices among patients at the Consultant Outpatient Department
(COPD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Objectives: To evaluate patients’ awareness of proper medication disposal, identify common
disposal practices, and assess associated environmental and public health risks.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire
administered to 270 UBTH COPD outpatients. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27,
with descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among respondents, 185 (68.5%) had unused or expired medications. The majority,
229 (84.8%) disposed of them in household waste bins, while only 8 (3.0%) used take-back
programs. Additionally, 25 (9.3%) flushed medications down the toilet. Although 216 (80.0%)
recognized the risk of accidental ingestion and 172 (63.7%) linked improper disposal to
antimicrobial resistance, only 53 (19.6%) had received proper medicine disposal education. A
significant relationship existed between educational background and awareness (p < 0.05), but
awareness did not always translate to safe practices.
Conclusion: A gap exists between awareness and safe disposal practices. Unsafe disposal
remains prevalent, highlighting the need for public awareness campaigns, regulatory
enforcement, and accessible take-back programs.
environmental risks. Medications discarded in household waste or flushed into water systems
contribute to pollution, antimicrobial resistance, and accidental poisonings. This study assesses
awareness and disposal practices among patients at the Consultant Outpatient Department
(COPD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Objectives: To evaluate patients’ awareness of proper medication disposal, identify common
disposal practices, and assess associated environmental and public health risks.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire
administered to 270 UBTH COPD outpatients. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27,
with descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among respondents, 185 (68.5%) had unused or expired medications. The majority,
229 (84.8%) disposed of them in household waste bins, while only 8 (3.0%) used take-back
programs. Additionally, 25 (9.3%) flushed medications down the toilet. Although 216 (80.0%)
recognized the risk of accidental ingestion and 172 (63.7%) linked improper disposal to
antimicrobial resistance, only 53 (19.6%) had received proper medicine disposal education. A
significant relationship existed between educational background and awareness (p < 0.05), but
awareness did not always translate to safe practices.
Conclusion: A gap exists between awareness and safe disposal practices. Unsafe disposal
remains prevalent, highlighting the need for public awareness campaigns, regulatory
enforcement, and accessible take-back programs.
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