Medication disposal: knowledge and practices of primary health care users in the municipality of Araçatuba, State of São Paulo, South-eastern Brazil

Authors

  • Aparecida de Fátima Michelin PhD in Agricultural Microbiology, Professor, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Paulista (Unip), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil
  • Camila Pedrozo Rodrigues Furlan Master’s in Statistics, Doctoral Student, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil
  • Neuza Alves Bonifácio Master’s in Nursing, Professor and Doctoral Student, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Paulista (Unip) and Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil
  • Euclides Teixeira Neto Master’s in Agribusiness, Professor, Centro Paula Souza, Faculdade de Tecnologia Araçatuba, SP, Brasil
  • Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani PhD and Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, Professor, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n1.2025.57307

Keywords:

Medications, Disposal, Health, Environment

Abstract

Our aim was to obtain information from users regarding the disposal location for unused or expired household medications. A descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted with 451 patients from primary health care centres in Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. The respondents answered a pre- validated questionnaire, composed of objective questions. For data analysis, we used the chi-square association test and chi-square with Yates’ correction, with a significance level of 5%. Age is associated with the location chosen to dispose of medications, while receiving guidance on the correct place modifies certain disposal habits, with 95% confidence. Most people believe that improper disposal of medications can cause harm to the environment and to human and animal health; however, the most common way to dispose of medications is to throw them in the household waste. Consumer knowledge and practices regarding medication disposal need to be improved.

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Author Biographies

Aparecida de Fátima Michelin, PhD in Agricultural Microbiology, Professor, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Paulista (Unip), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

Graduated in Biochemical Pharmacy and Master's degree in Clinical Analysis from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Araraquara at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), PhD in Agricultural Microbiology from the Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences of Jaboticabal (UNESP) and post-doctorate from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Araçatuba (UNESP). Professor at the Institute of Health Sciences of the Paulista University (UNIP), Araçatuba/SP.

Camila Pedrozo Rodrigues Furlan, Master’s in Statistics, Doctoral Student, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

Graduated in Mathematics from the Claretian University Center of São Paulo and in Statistics from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar); Master's degree in Statistics (UFSCar) and PhD in Animal Science (in progress) from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Araçatuba at the São Paulo State University (UNESP). Has professional experience as a Higher Education teacher.

Neuza Alves Bonifácio, Master’s in Nursing, Professor and Doctoral Student, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Paulista (Unip) and Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

Graduated in Nursing from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC), Master's degree in Fundamental Nursing from the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing at the University of São Paulo and PhD in Animal Science (in progress) from the Araçatuba School of Veterinary Medicine at the São Paulo State University (UNESP). Professor at the Institute of Health Sciences of the Paulista University (UNIP), Araçatuba/SP.

Euclides Teixeira Neto, Master’s in Agribusiness, Professor, Centro Paula Souza, Faculdade de Tecnologia Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

Graduated in Economic Sciences from the Faculty of Sciences and Letters of Araraquara of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) and master's degree in Agribusiness and Development from the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering of Tupã (UNESP). Professor at the Faculty of Technology (FATEC), Araçatuba/SP.

Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani, PhD and Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, Professor, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brasil

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of Botucatu at the São Paulo State University (UNESP); Master's degree in Animal Pathology and PhD in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences of Jaboticabal (UNESP); Post-Doctorate in Parasitology from the Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu (UNESP); Post-Doctorate in Scientific Writing from the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon, Portugal and the Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu (UNESP); Full Professor in the Discipline of Parasitic Diseases of Animals from the School of Veterinary Medicine of Araçatuba (UNESP). Professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine of Araçatuba (UNESP).

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Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Michelin, A. de F., Furlan, C. P. R., Bonifácio, N. A., Teixeira Neto, E., & Bresciani, K. D. S. (2025). Medication disposal: knowledge and practices of primary health care users in the municipality of Araçatuba, State of São Paulo, South-eastern Brazil. Sustainability in Debate, 16(1), 190–221. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n1.2025.57307

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Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate

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Articles - Varia

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