Syringe disposal practices and gender differences

The purpose of this study was to describe syringe disposal practices of individuals with diabetes who take insulin and to investigate the attitude toward and effect of previous information on proper syringe disposal.

Adult men and women who injected insulin were recruited from an endocrinology practice and given 2 questionnaires concerning syringe disposal practices and attitude toward proper syringe disposal. Completed questionnaires were returned by mail to the investigator. Nonparametric statistical procedures were used to analyze the data.

Men with higher income tended to use the trash for syringe disposal more often than lower income men, and older women exhibited a higher positive attitude score than younger women. A positive attitude significantly correlated with the likelihood of proper syringe disposal, and those who had received previous information were more likely to dispose of syringes properly. Healthcare providers were identified as the main source of information.

Diabetes educators can improve the syringe disposal practices of their patients through education at each office visit. Knowing more about the environmental and social problems that may ensue from improper syringe disposal may influence patients to practice better disposal methods.