Awareness and Practices of Medicine Waste Disposal in Rural Communities

Abstract

The improper disposal of leftover and expired medications poses serious risks to both environmental and public health, especially in rural regions where awareness, infrastructure, and proper disposal facilities are limited. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to pharmaceutical waste management among 200 households across selected villages within a gram panchayat. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and direct observations to gain a comprehensive understanding of household disposal behaviours. The findings revealed that only 38% of respondents recognized the environmental hazards associated with unsafe disposal of medicines, while 32% believed that discarded medicines were harmless, and 30% were unsure. Common disposal practices included throwing unused or expired medicines in household garbage (45%), burning them along with other waste (25%), and flushing them into drains or toilets (18%). Alarmingly, only 12% of householdsreturned leftover medicines to health centres or pharmacies. Statistical analysis indicated a strong correlation between higher educational levels, previous exposure to health awareness programs, and the adoption of safer disposal practices. The study highlights a significant knowledge gap and unsafe practices that could lead to environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the findings underscore the urgent need for implementing community-based educational campaigns, promoting accessible medicine take-back systems, and integrating sustainable pharmaceutical waste management strategies into rural public health initiatives to minimize potential health and ecological hazards.