Pharmaceuticals wastage and pharmaceuticals waste management in public health facilities of Dessie town, North East Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceuticals wastes are drugs and medicines that can no longer be used. The improper disposal of unused medicines is a growing problem throughout the world. This study assessed the pharmaceutical wastage rate and pharmaceutical waste management for the year 2015 to 2017 in the public health facility of Dessie, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-section study design was used to review logistic data retrospectively from health commodity management information systems and manual records in 8 health facilities. Health professionals' (135) pharmaceutical waste management practices were assessed using the world health organization waste management checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were made using a statistical package for social sciences version 20. RESULT: Supplies were the leading class of pharmaceuticals with an overall wastage rate of 37.1%. Tablet and injectable constituted the highest class of pharmaceuticals dosage form with the overall wastage rate of 20.78% and 16.49%. The overall pharmaceutical wastage rate was 3.68% amounting to USD 159,762.66 and expiry (92.05%) was the major reason for wastage. The pharmaceutical wastage rate of health centers was nearly twofold higher than hospitals. Pharmaceutical waste management was practiced by 105 (77%; 95% CI; 69.9%, 84.9%) health professionals. Determinants of pharmaceutical waste management were being male (P value = 0.08, AOR = 3.72), receiving training (P value = 0.01, AOR = 4.34), writing label (P value = 0.02, AOR = 5.04), storage of segregated waste in dispensing unit (P value = 0.01, AOR = 0.72) and the presence of disposal plan (P value = 0.002, AOR = 16.93). CONCLUSIONS: Supplies and tablets constituted the highest wastage class of pharmaceuticals and dosage form. The pharmaceutical wastage rate was higher than the standard and increasing in successive years. Pharmaceutical waste management was not fully practiced. Appropriate inventory control and waste management are recommended.

Environmental impact of personal protective equipment distributed for use by health and social care services in England in the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the environmental impact of personal protective equipment (PPE) distributed for use by the health and social care system to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in England, and model strategies for mitigating the environmental impact. DESIGN: Life cycle assessment was used to determine environmental impacts of PPE distributed to health and social care in England during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The base scenario assumed all products were single-use and disposed of via clinical waste. Scenario modelling was used to determine the effect of environmental mitigation strategies: (1) eliminating international travel during supply; (2) eliminating glove use; (3) reusing gowns and face shields; and (4) maximal recycling. SETTING: Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The carbon footprint of PPE distributed during the study period totalled 106,478 tonnes CO2e, with greatest contributions from gloves, aprons, face shields and Type IIR surgical masks. The estimated damage to human health was 239 DALYs (disability-adjusted life years), impact on ecosystems was 0.47 species.year (loss of local species per year), and impact on resource depletion was costed at US $12.7m (GBP £9.3m). Scenario modelling indicated UK manufacture would have reduced the carbon footprint by 12%, eliminating gloves by 45%, reusing gowns and gloves by 10% and maximal recycling by 35%. RESULTS: A combination of strategies may have reduced the carbon footprint by 75% compared with the base scenario, and saved an estimated 183 DALYS, 0.34 species.year and US $7.4m (GBP £5.4m) due to resource depletion. CONCLUSION: The environmental impact of PPE is large and could be reduced through domestic manufacture, rationalising glove use, using reusables where possible and optimising waste management.

Hepatitis B virus infection and its associated factors among medical waste collectors at public health facilities in eastern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of hepatitis B virus infection among medical waste handlers who undergo collection, transportation, and disposal of medical wastes in the health institutions is higher due to frequent exposure to contaminated blood and other body fluids. There is limited evidence on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B among medical waste handlers in eastern Ethiopia. The study was aimed at studying the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and associated risk factors among medical waste collectors at health facilities of eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected medical waste collectors from public health facilities in eastern Ethiopia from March to June 2018. A pre-tested and well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and hepatitis B infection risk factors. A2.5ml venous blood was also collected, centrifuged and the serum was analyzed for hepatitis B surface antigen using the instant hepatitis B surface antigen kit. Descriptive summary measures were done. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the risk of association. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted with 95% CI and all value at P-value < 0.05 was declared statistically significant. RESULTS: From a total of 260 (97.38%) medical waste collectors participated, HBV was detected in 53 (20.4%) of the participants [95%CI; 15.8, 25.6]. No significant differences were observed in the detection rates of HBV with respect to socio-demographic characteristics. In both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, being unvaccinated (AOR = 6.35; 95%CI = [2.53-15.96], P = 0.001), history of blood transfusion (receiving) (AOR; 3.54; 95%CI; [1.02-12.24], P = 0.046), history of tattooing (AOR = 2.86; 95%CI = [1.12-7.27], p = 0.03), and history of multiple sexual partner (AOR = 10.28; 95%CI = [4.16-25.38], P = 0.001) remained statistically significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study identified that HBV infection is high among medical waste collectors in eastern Ethiopia. Immunization and on job health promotion and disease prevention measures should be considered in order to control the risk of HBV infection among medical waste collectors in eastern Ethiopia.

Healthcare Waste Status and Handling Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Tepi General Hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: Mismanagement of healthcare waste (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic can facilitate the transmission of coronavirus. Regarding this problem, there is gap of evidence in Ethiopia, and this study aimed to assess the HCW generation rate and management in Tepi General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional and case studies were conducted. The total amount of waste generated and its type among various case teams were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the total numbers of patients and the total amount of HCW generated. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed with Open Code version 4.02 software, and content analysis was followed. Results: The total mean weight (±SD) of waste generation rate in all service units of the hospital was 492.5 ± 11.5 kg/day. The higher proportion (61.9%) of the total HCW produced was general waste and the remaining (38.1%) was hazardous waste. There was a statistically significant (X 2 = 82.1, p < 0.001) difference in daily HCW generation rate among different case teams. Similarly, the hospital waste generation amount and total patient flow had a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.7, p=0.032). COVID-19-related medical wastes were not properly handled, segregated, stored, and disposed. There was a scarcity of resources needed to manage HCW, and available resources were utilized poorly. Overall, healthcare wastes were managed as usual (pre-COVID-19). Conclusion: The mean HCW generation rate in Tepi General Hospital was high. Overall, wastes were mismanaged, and COVID-19-related HCWs have been managed as usual. Availing of important resources and training the concerned bodies should be considered during the crisis of COVID-19.

Healthcare Waste Management Practice and Associated Factors among Private and Public Hospitals of Bahir Dar City Administration.

Background: Lack of an appropriate management practice of healthcare waste is a potential threat to the healthcare workers, patients, and nearby communities of the health institutions. Objective: The study aimed to assess the healthcare waste management practices (HCWMP) and associated factors among healthcare workers of private and public hospitals of Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to April 2017. The systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit 460 healthcare workers. The collected data entered into the EpiData software (version 3.1). The analysis was done by using SPSS software (version 20). Descriptive statistics were computed; logistic regression model was run. The model fitness was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit (p > 0.05). A p value of <0.2 at univariate analysis was included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p value of <0.05 were statistically associated with healthcare waste management practice at 95% CI (AOR). Results: A total of 418 healthcare workers who participated in the study yielded a response of 90.9%. About 65% (95% CI: 61, 70) of the total respondents had good practice of healthcare waste management. More private hospitals, 79.2% (95% CI: 73, 85), had good healthcare waste management practice compared to public hospitals, 53.5% (95% CI: 47, 60). Male healthcare workers (AOR = 6. 43, 95% CI: 1.82, 22.77) and having a functional healthcare waste management committee (AOR = 6. 47, 95%CI: 1.93, 21.76) were significantly associated with HCWMP at private hospitals. For public hospitals, having a healthcare waste management committee (AOR = 1. 80, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.15) and a manual/guideline on HCWMP (AOR = 2. 43, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.91) was significantly associated with HCWMP. Conclusions: This study revealed there is a great discrepancy in HCWMP between private and public hospitals. Male healthcare workers and having a functional healthcare waste management committee and a manual/guideline were the identified factors of HCWMP.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in respect of Medical Waste Management among Healthcare Workers in Clinics.

Medical waste represents a significant health risk and an environmental pollution concern due to its hazardous characteristics. The knowledge and practice of healthcare personnel in respect of the disposal of medical waste is essential to perform effective medical waste management. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medical waste management among healthcare workers in clinics (medical and dental clinics, specialized medical, laboratory clinics, polyclinics, and midwifery clinics) in Phuket, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was designed with stratified-random sampling used to select the sample of 344 respondents from 172 clinics of which data were collected using face-to-face interviews. The results showed that the majority of respondents (87.2%) were female of whom 36.9% were aged (20-29), 52.0% had more than 5 years working experience, and 51.2% had participated in at least one training course regarding medical waste management. The overall scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were at a high level (89.5%, 91.9%, and 92.2%, respectively). Significant and positive correlations were found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.464), knowledge and practice (r = 0.396), and practice and attitude (r = 0.519). Statistical analysis using t tests and one-way analysis of variance showed that working experience and its duration were significant factors influencing good medical waste management practice. However, local authorities should implement a well-planned collection and transfer process for medical waste in order to reduce the risk of environmental pollution and the risk of infection or injury to healthcare workers and the general public.

Perceived risk and associated factors of healthcare waste in selected hospitals of Kathmandu, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare waste management is the subject of a neglected issue in many developing countries. Health care facilities are facing a major challenge in handling healthcare wastes and reducing their potential risks to human health and the environment. Insufficient understanding of the risk associated with healthcare waste by health workforce can contribute to poor waste management practices. The main aim of this study is to assess risk perception towards healthcare waste among hospital attendants and to identify associated factors. METHODOLOGY: We carried out a cross-sectional hospital-based study among 120 attendants of a private and public hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. We used two-stage random sampling for the selection of hospital and participants. We conducted a face-to-face interview with the participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Based on the mean score, we classified risk perception as good and poor. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was carried out to determine associates of risk perception towards healthcare waste. RESULTS: Approximately 51.0% of hospital attendants had poor risk perception of healthcare waste. Nearly half of the participants (49.2%) had inadequate knowledge and 43.0% had a negative attitude. Factors such as healthcare waste management training (p = 0.028), housekeeping department (p = 0.036) and attitude (p = 0.001) were associated with risk perception of healthcare waste. CONCLUSION: Hospital attendants had a poor understanding of risk perception of healthcare waste. Periodic training on healthcare waste management and edification on the risk associated with healthcare waste is essential to boost awareness among all healthcare workers. Communication on behavioral improvements for appropriate waste management must be prioritized to change the perception of health workers.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contaminations. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%) had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to Pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use. CONCLUSION: In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not get advice from pharmacists and other health care professionals on how to dispose off unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients regarding disposal practices of unused medications.

An Evaluation of Staff Engagement with Infectious Healthcare Waste Management Policies: A Case Study of Tunisia.

This study evaluated the engagement of staff regarding infectious healthcare waste management, in two case-study universities in Tunisia. Using a questionnaire survey, it was found that the most significant reported factors that influenced engagement were the availability of technical sheets and posters, training and education programs, and the age range of the staff. While there was some accordance with the Tunisian Decree application n° 2008-2745 of July 28th, 2008, as well as international guidelines and best practice (e.g. the use of color coded bins, waste management teams, and infection control measures), there were also limitations in the provision of training. This limitation in training and, to a lesser extent, awareness impacted on the beliefs about infectious healthcare waste management of staff and their practices. Recommendations for addressing these issues are suggested.

Storage and disposal of expired medicines in home pharmacies: emerging public health problems.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize storage and disposal practices associated with expired medicines in home pharmacies of Primary Care users. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on data collected from 423 users of 15 Primary Care units located in a Brazilian city, between August 2014 and July 2016. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Categorical (demographic and socioeconomic characteristics) and continuous variables were expressed as proportions and means and standard deviations, respectively . Storage behaviors and disposal practices associated with unused and expired medicines were described as frequencies. RESULTS: Most (83%) interviewees were female and approximately 70% had completed high school. The kitchen was the most common medicine storage place (58.6%). Approximately 75% of participants reported inappropriate medicine disposal practices. CONCLUSION: This study revealed high rates of inappropriate medicine disposal practices with direct impacts on pharmacological treatment and the environment. Continuing education of healthcare professionals and the general public is required to raise awareness about proper medicine use and disposal.

Perdas físicas de imunobiológicos no estado do Ceará, 2014-2016 / Pérdidas físicas de inmunobiológicos en el estado de Ceará, Brasil, 2014-2016 / Physical wastage of immunobiological products in the state of Ceará, Brazil, 2014-2016

Objetivo: descrever as perdas físicas, por descarte, dos imunobiológicos fornecidos pelo Programa Nacional de Imunizações (PNI) ao estado do Ceará no período 2014-2016, e os custos das doses perdidas. Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados dos formulários de avaliação de imunobiológicos sob suspeita e dos pareceres favoráveis de descarte. Resultados: foram incluídos 317 formulários, dos quais 72,0% obtiveram parecer de descarte; foram identificadas 160.767 doses perdidas, totalizando um custo de R$ 1.834.604,75; as perdas representaram 0,45%, 0,93% e 0,53% do custo total das vacinas nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016, respectivamente; o principal motivo das perdas físicas identificadas foi a falta de energia elétrica (54,9%). Conclusão: identificou-se grande número de doses descartadas por perdas físicas, com elevado custo absoluto; faz-se necessário um controle mais rigoroso, pois falhas na dinâmica de conservação podem interferir na oferta dos imunobiológicos.

Objetivo: describir las pérdidas físicas por eliminación de inmunobiológicos proporcionados por el Programa Nacional de Inmunización (PNI) al estado de Ceará, en el periodo 2014-2016, y los costos de las dosis omitidas. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, con datos de formula-rios de evaluación de los inmunobiológicos sospechosos y de las opiniones favorables de descarte. Resultados: se incluyeron un total de 317 formularios, de los cuales el 72,0% obtuvo una opinión de descarte, y se identificaron 160.767 dosis omitidas, con un costo total de R$ 1.834.604,75; las pérdidas representaron el 0,45%, el 0,93% y el 0,53% del costo total de las vacunas en 2014, 2015 y 2016, respectivamente; la razón principal de las pérdidas físicas identificadas fue la falta de electricidad (54,9%). Conclusión: iden-tificamos un gran número de dosis descartadas por pérdidas físicas, con un alto costo absoluto; es necesario un control más estricto, ya que las fallas en la dinámica de conser-vación pueden interferir con el suministro de inmunobiológicos.

Objective: to describe discarded wasted immunobiological products provided by the National Im-munization Program (PNI) to the State of Ceará between 2014 and 2016, and the costs of discarded doses. Methods: this was a descriptive study using data from suspect im-munobiological product evaluation forms and data from disposal approval forms. Results: a total of 317 forms were included, 72.0% of which had a disposal approval form, and 160,767 discarded doses were identified, at a total cost of BRL 1,834,604.75; wastage accounted for 0.45%, 0.93% and 0.53% of the total cost of vaccines in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively; the main reason for the wastage identified was electric power shortage (54.9%). Conclusion: we identified a large number of discarded wasted doses, with high absolute cost; tighter control is necessary, as failures in conservation dynamics may interfere with the supply of immunobiologicals.

Storage and disposal of expired medicines in home pharmacies: emerging public health problems / Armazenamento e descarte dos medicamentos vencidos em farmácias caseiras: problemas emergentes para a saúde pública

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize storage and disposal practices associated with expired medicines in home pharmacies of Primary Care users. Methods Cross-sectional study based on data collected from 423 users of 15 Primary Care units located in a Brazilian city, between August 2014 and July 2016. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Categorical (demographic and socioeconomic characteristics) and continuous variables were expressed as proportions and means and standard deviations, respectively . Storage behaviors and disposal practices associated with unused and expired medicines were described as frequencies. Results Most (83%) interviewees were female and approximately 70% had completed high school. The kitchen was the most common medicine storage place (58.6%). Approximately 75% of participants reported inappropriate medicine disposal practices. Conclusion This study revealed high rates of inappropriate medicine disposal practices with direct impacts on pharmacological treatment and the environment. Continuing education of healthcare professionals and the general public is required to raise awareness about proper medicine use and disposal.

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar o armazenamento e o descarte de medicamentos vencidos contidos em farmácias caseiras de usuários da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos Estudo transversal, realizado com 423 usuários de 15 unidades de saúde da Atenção Primária em um município brasileiro. Os dados foram coletados de agosto de 2014 a julho de 2016, por meio de entrevistas face a face. As características demográficas e socioeconômicas foram descritas por meio de proporções para as variáveis categóricas. As formas de armazenamento e o descarte de medicamentos vencidos ou não vencidos foram descritos em forma de frequência. Resultados Dentre os entrevistados, 83% eram do sexo feminino e aproximadamente 70% possuíam Ensino Médio completo. A cozinha foi o local mais citado para armazenamento de medicamentos (58,6%). Cerca de 75% dos participantes relataram descartar os medicamentos de forma incorreta. Conclusão O estudo evidenciou que grande proporção dos entrevistados possui hábitos incorretos de descarte, que, por sua vez, impactam diretamente no tratamento medicamentoso e na natureza. Assim, é necessária a educação continuada dos profissionais de saúde e da população, a fim de conscientizar a população sobre a correta utilização e o descarte de medicamentos.

"Rainbow Draws" in the Emergency Department: Clinical Utility and Staff Perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Collecting a predefined set of blood tubes (the "rainbow draw") is a common but controversial practice in many emergency departments (EDs), with limited data to support it. We determined the actual utilization of rainbow draw tubes at a single facility and evaluated the perceptions of ED staff regarding the utility of rainbow draws. METHODS: We analyzed 2 weeks of ED visits (1326 visits by 1240 unique patients) to determine blood tube utilization for initial and add-on testing, as well as the incidence of additional venipunctures. We also surveyed ED staff regarding aspects of ED phlebotomy and test ordering. Utilization data analysis was structured to satisfy specific concerns addressed in the ED staff survey. RESULTS: Observed tube utilization data showed that fluoride/oxalate, citrate, and serum separator tubes were frequently discarded unused, and that the actual utility of the rainbow draw for add-on testing and avoiding additional venipunctures was low. ED staff perceived that the rainbow draw was highly valuable, both to expedite add-on testing and to avoid additional venipunctures. Contrasting the objective (utilization data) and subjective (survey results) to drive changes in the standard ED blood collection reduced the estimated waste blood by 175 L/year. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of perceptions and objective utilization data drove process changes that were mutually agreeable to ED and laboratory staff. Although specifics of ED and laboratory work flows vary between institutions, the principles and strategy of this study are widely applicable.

Investigation of medicines consumption and disposal in Brazil: A study case in a developing country.

The incorrect disposal of medicines can be harmful to the environment. Here, we aim to understand the consumption and disposal of medicines in Brazil using online forms. 64% of the respondents have the habit to self-medicate. 66% of respondents dispose the disused or expired medicines in the garbage. 71.9% of respondents never receive any information about correct disposal of medicines. 95.2% of respondents believe that residues of medicines can be harmful to the environment. Environmental education can provide information to the population and help to mitigate pharmaceuticals pollution.

Disposal Practice of Unfit Medicines in Nongovernmental Hospitals and Private Medicine Outlets Located in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Introduction: For a medicine to qualify as safe and effective and to be of good quality, it should be properly labelled, stored, and transported. If a medicine is not handled properly, it ends up being unfit. Improper disposal of unfit medicines contributes to the appearance of their metabolites in the environment. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to capture quantitative data. The study was conducted in Mwanza region, Tanzania. The study population comprised nongovernmental hospitals and private medicines outlets in the region. The sample size was 111 facilities. This study was conducted between October 2013 and May 2014. The questionnaire was used to assess experience and challenges of dealing with unfit medicines. A review of waste management records was done to capture data of past disposal for unfit medicines. The coded data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 20.0) computer analysis software. Comparison of proportions between groups was performed using Pearson's chi square. Results: The majority of facilities (41.4%) used methods such as the pouring of unfit medicines into the sink and into the dustbin. About 60.4% of facilities were found with unfit medicines at the time of survey. Majority of unfit medicines found were antibiotics (64.1%). Almost 10% of health facilities maintained a register book for recording unfit medicines. Conclusion: There was improper disposal of unfit medicines in health facilities studied, whereby commonly reported methods of disposal were pouring into the sink and putting into the street dustbin. In private medicines outlets, there was poor storage management practice as some of the unfit medicines were left unpacked into boxes or separated from the usable medicines and not properly labelled.