Knowledge, Attitudes And Disposal Practices For Unused Medicines Amongst Adult Residents Of Bloemfontein, South...

In South Africa, medicine disposal is regulated by the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965. Despite regulatory provisions, the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is a growing concern. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the disposal of unused and expired medicines among residents in Bloemfontein, Free State.

This was a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study involving 394 Bloemfontein residents. During 2024 a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to adult participants. Multiple linear regression was used to identify sociodemographic determinants of knowledge, attitudes and practices. The Spearman correlation test was employed to determine correlations between KAP among residents.

Multiple linear regression analysis revealed gender (β = 0.25, R² = 0.01), employment status (β = 0.48, R² = 0.04), usage of private health-care systems (β = 0.16, R² = 0.04), and health-care worker status (β = -0.89, R² = 0.02) were significantly associated (p ≤ 0.05) with a higher knowledge score. Health-care workers (β = -0.01, R² = 0.01) were associated with a higher attitude score. Gender (β = 0.15, R² = 0.02), level of education (β = 0.09, R² = 0.01), and being a health-care worker (β = -0.47, R² = 0.05) were predictors of residents' medicine disposal practices. The Spearman correlation test revealed a positive relationship (r = 0.14, n = 394, p < 0.05) between residents' knowledge and attitudes towards appropriate disposal practices.

Significant differences in the KAP across sociodemographic variables among residents were found. Health-care workers distinguished themselves above non-health-care workers in all factors. The results of this study indicate poor knowledge, positive attitudes and inappropriate medication disposal practices amongst Bloemfontein residents. These findings and the potential effects of resident's actions require action, through the creation of awareness, holding pharmacists more accountable and additional policy changes.