Conhecimento e Prática Sobre Descarte de Medicamentos: estudo de caso em Uberlândia-MG.

Abstract

The demographic increase in line with the greater supply, ease of purchase of drugs are related to the increase in inappropriate disposal, which is confirmed in several studies around the world. However, the lack of information, added to the lack of public policies that aim to portray and eradicate this problem, contribute to this inadequate disposal by the population. In view of the above, it is extremely important to identify the knowledge and practice adopted by people in order to promote the development of public actions and policies focused on the specificities of the cities. Thus, the objective of the study is to assess whether knowledge about the disposal of medicines has an influence on practices related to this disposal. An adaptation of the CAP methodology was used - knowledge, attitude and practice, in order to assess the knowledge and practice of the population of Uberlândia- MG. The quantitative research was conducted through a questionnaire aplicad to 384 people in various points of the city, as bus terminal, Federal University of Uberlândia, shopping center and parks. In view of the results obtained, it can be observed that the population of Uberlândia has knowledge considered adequate on ways of disposing of medicines, but they do not have knowledge on reverse logistics. Regarding the practices, it was noted inappropriate behavior in most responses, which may be related to lack of information and lack of adequate means to dispose of this issue, however, it was identified that the population has indicated a willingness to participate in a program aimed at collecting medicines, showing a possibility of alteration in disposal habits.