Prevalence and factors associated with poor pharmaceutical waste disposal practices among households in Nansana Municipality Wakiso District Uganda
Abstract
The rising demand for pharmaceuticals due to aging population and emerging diseases, raises concerns about improper disposal of pharmaceutical wastes (PW). PW lacks clear guidelines, contributing to environmental pollution and healthcare costs. While some countries implement effective PW policies, many developing nations, including Uganda, face challenges due to insufficient awareness, regulations, and infrastructure. This study sought to determine prevalence and factors associated with poor PW disposal practices in Nansana Municipality Wakiso District. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with poor PW disposal practices among households in Nansana Municipality so as to inform on safe means of improving PW disposal practices and reduce environmental impacts due to the PW. This was a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was administered to 399 household heads who consented to the study. Stratified sampling by four divisions of Nansana Municipality was used and respondents were selected randomly from each division. Descriptive statistics were computed to determine the proportion of respondents who engaged in poor PW disposal practices, which was the primary outcome. Respondents were considered to have engaged in poor PW disposal practices if they used practices that were not recommended by World Health Organization. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the factors that were independently associated with the primary outcome. All factors with a p-value<0.1 or suspected confounders were considered for the multivariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of factors associated with engaging in poor PW practices. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value <0.05. Results were presented as tables of frequencies, proportions, odds ratios confidence intervals and graphs. Data were analyzed using STATA statistical software (version 14.0).
Majority 76% (303/399) of the respondents were females. The prevalence of poor PW disposal practices was found to be high at 67% (266/399). Slightly over three-quarters of both females and males engaged in poor PW disposal practices. Forty-two per cent (169/399) of the respondents had a fair knowledge of PW disposal practices while 92% (369/399) had a positive attitude about PW disposal practices. Eighty three percent (331/399) of the respondents never knew the recommended PW disposal practices whereas 94% (376/399) agreed that people do not know what to do with PW. Having secondary (aOR = 3.88; 95%CI: 1.24, 12.24, P-value = 0.020) or university level of education (aOR = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.76, P-value = 0.015) were significantly associated with engaging in poor PW disposal practices. The prevalence of poor PW disposal was high and majority of residents did not know what to do with the PW generated neither did they know the recommended PW disposal methods. There is need for development of take-back programs for drugs, mass awareness campaigns for safe disposal of PW to reduce the expanding magnitude of effects from PW in the environment.