The Study of Socio-economic Determinants of Unnecessary In-home Drug storage: The survey of Tabriz Households

Abstract

Abstrct Introduction: The existence of medicines in household is a risk factor for irrational medicine use. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated to wastage of medicines. Material and Method: A cross sectional survey of 296 households was performed from January- February 2017. A Random multi-stage randomized sampling method was used to select households. A pretested structured questionnaire was designed and participants were asked to show all medications available at home to interviewer. Data on Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, medicine name, dosage form, quantity, expiry, source and storage condition were collected. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0 at 95% significance level. Result: Among all surveyed households, 198(66.9%) had wasted medications. The mean number of medications per household was 9.9. The most common medication categories found in households were cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal and Nervous system medicines and the most common wastage medications found in the households were anti-infections. Most of the medicines kept in households were for current use (58.7%). Leftover medicines from past treatments were 26.2%, and 15.1% were expired medicine. Seventy two percent of household medicines were in the form of tablets. The findings showed that with increasing purchasing power, the wastage rate increased. Also, as the average age of the household increased, medicine waste declined. About 80% of the wastage medicines were prescription. Conclusion: 66.9% of households in Tabriz city had wasted medicines which the most common of these medicines was anti-infective. The evaluation of utilization of medicines in household confirmed inappropriate use patterns by patients and providers which suggest the need to educate the patients and providers about proper and rational use of medicines.