Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39190631›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

The management of unused and expired medications in Thai households: Influencing factors and prevailing practices.

Patranit Srijuntrapun, Kusawadee Maluangnon

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Patranit SrijuntrapunDepartment of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0003-0094-4047
Kusawadee MaluangnonDepartment of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAlthough the improper disposal of unused and expired medications represents a global environmental concern, its significance is often underestimated. This research delves into the practices and factors related to the management of unused and expired medications.

methodsData was collected through a comprehensive survey of Thai households, with 400 structured questionnaires. Multiple regression was then employed to analyze the data.

resultsFindings show an intriguing paradox. The participants in the survey demonstrated commendable knowledge regarding the appropriate management of unused or expired medications. Yet, this knowledge was not sufficiently put into practice. This study identifies the factors that have a positive influence on proper medication disposal practices, such as age, level of education, attitude, and perception. Surveyed participants exhibited a tendency to retain unused medications and discard expired ones with household waste. Most of them showed a low degree of medication management, pointing to the need for targeted interventions.

conclusionThis research provides tangible benefits for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and researchers addressing waste management paradigms. In terms of policy, the study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions, including medication take-back systems, infrastructure development, and educational initiatives. Policymakers are urged to bridge the gap between knowledge and behavior by promoting access to collection points for proper medication disposal to avoid perpetuating the cycle of suboptimal medication management. This research informs strategies to encourage responsible medication management practices globally, addressing the adverse environmental and health impacts associated with the improper accumulation of medications.

Indexed as

Pharmaceutical PreparationsWaste ManagementHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansSurveys and QuestionnairesThailandPharmaceutical Preparations

Identifiers

PMID39190631
PMCPMC11349084

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.