Conhecimento, prática e percepção de risco da destinação de medicamentos pela comunidade acadêmica da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Abstract

Disposal of medicines, when done improperly, can have an impact on the environment and human health. Studies carried out in several countries indicate that overdue or non-useful medicines are inadequately disposed by consumers, normally discarded in the trash, flushed down the toilet or poured down the sinks. In order for consumers to correctly dispose these materials, it is necessary to disseminate the information related to the correct forms of disposal. Furthermore, it is essential to identify the habits, knowledge and perceptions of risks of the consumers on the disposal of medicines. The objective is to identify the knowledge, practice and perception of risk regarding the destination of medication by the academic community of the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). The academic community of a Higher Education Institution was chosen as the object of study, since they are consumers of medicines that have easy access to information. A questionnaire was applied to 600 students, 64 teachers and 120 university administrative technicians. The data obtained was statistically analyzed to measure the frequency distribution of the responses, correlations and differences between the variables. The results show that the participants have little environmental knowledge, inappropriate drug disposal practices and a good perception of risk. In the statistical analysis, there were almost no differences among students, teachers and administrative technicians. Also, no statistically significant difference was found for most of the variables in the questionnaire when comparing those who attended with those who did not attend / teach environmental subjects. It was hoped to obtain more relationships between the variables of the questions about knowledge, practice and perception of risk than what was found, and those with the demographics of the participants. It should be emphasized that the results show that the academic community would have a good participation in reverse logistics medication programs if they were implemented in local pharmacies. In view of this, it was concluded that it is necessary to ensure that this good perception of risk presented by the academic community is reflected in more appropriate habits of drug disposal. And that the knowledge of the academic community should be broadened to increase awareness of their duties and those of other responsible persons, in accordance with the National Solid Waste Policy, in order to require that satisfactory actions be implemented, facilitating the accomplishment of appropriate practices of medicines disposal.