Analysis of drugs use and disposal in home environments of Araguari – MG

Abstract

This is a descriptive and pharmacoepidemiological study. Analyze the use and disposal of medicines in home environments of Araguari (MG) given the wide use of drugs and the lack of standardized logistics on the destination of expired or leftover medicines. Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire applied to 165 random households and the researchers promoted a health education action about the correct way of storing and disposing medicines and gave an informative folder to the participants of the study. Results: 88.5% of of the interviewees store medicines at home and 78% never received guidance on the proper form of disposal. 45.5% of the participants dispose leftover drugs in the regular garbage and are unaware of the exact risks caused by the practice of improper disposal. 91.51% of the participants said that they would dispose the medicines in an appropriate collection point, if one existed in the city, reinforcing that the population, in its majority, is willing to change the habit of incorrect disposal, as long as it is well informed, which highlights the the need to formulate a specific policy for the destination of drug residues at household level, besides investing in public campaigns to inform and sensitize society.