KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE STUDY OF SAFE DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS AMONG MEDICAL POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS, INTERNS AND NURSING STAFF OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL GUJARAT, INDIA

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice about disposing unused medicines in doctors and nurses in a tertiary care hospital in central Gujarat, India. Methods: A questionnaire comprising eighteen questions evaluating knowledge (5), attitude (8), and practice (5) of unused medicines was prepared which was pre-validated by ten resident doctors of the institute. Before starting the study, permission was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained before administering the questionnaire to the medical post-graduate students, interns, and nursing staff. Responses were recorded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and evaluated for percentage response. Results: Out of the total staff approached, 326 participants consented to participate. Most (79%) knew eco-pharmacology, and almost all (94%) acknowledged that improper drug disposal contributes to environmental pollution. However, only 28% had received advanced training in proper waste medicine disposal. The most common disposal method was discarding medicines in household trash (53%), followed by returning them to pharmacies (19%). Nearly all participants (90%) supported implementing drug take-back schemes to address improper disposal. Conclusion: Overall, most healthcare staff is aware of the importance of safe medicine disposal; still there is a gap in their attitudes and practices. Greater emphasis on training and awareness is essential to improve proper disposal practices.