Descarte de medicamentos: conhecimentos e práticas de usuários da atenção primária em saúde no município de Araçatuba, estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil

O objetivo é obter informações dos usuários acerca do destino dado aos medicamentos domiciliares não utilizados ou vencidos. Um estudo descritivo, transversal e prospectivo foi realizado com 451 pacientes de Unidades Básicas de Saúde em Araçatuba/SP. Os entrevistados responderam um questionário pré-validado, composto por questões objetivas. Para análise dos dados, utilizamos o teste de associação Qui-Quadrado e Qui-Quadrado com correção de Yates, com nível de significância de 5%. A idade tem associação com o destino escolhido para o descarte do medicamento, e receber orientação quanto ao destino correto interfere em alguns hábitos de descarte, com 95% de confiança. A maioria das pessoas acredita que o descarte indevido de medicamentos pode causar danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana e animal, porém, a maneira de descarte de medicamentos mais praticada é jogar no lixodoméstico. O conhecimento e as práticas dos consumidores em relação ao descarte de medicamentos precisam ser aprimorados. 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. 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. 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.