A survey on citizens’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pharmaceutical waste disposal
- VernacularTitle:Эмийн хаягдал ба устгалын талаарх иргэдийн мэдлэг, хандлага, дадлын судалгаа
- Author:
Myagmardulam Enkhbat
1
;
Khongorzul Dovchinsuren
1
;
Rentsen Badamjav
1
;
Oyuntsetseg Gungeedondov
1
;
Tsolmon Batchuluun
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mongolian University of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
pharmaceutical waste;
disposal;
knowledge;
attitude;
practice;
environmental health;
Mongolia
- From:
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology
2026;29(2):28-34
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Introduction:Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines poses severe threats to
environmental safety and public health, notably accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally,
pharmaceutical consumption rose by 14% between 2019 and 2023. Despite this surge, Mongolia
continuously lacks an established national pharmaceutical take-back framework, and public behaviors
regarding residential medical waste management remain insufficiently evaluated. This study aimed
to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adult residents in Ulaanbaatar concerning
medication disposal.
Methods:A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2026
among 301 adult citizens across nine districts of Ulaanbaatar. Data were collected via a structured
questionnaire evaluating demographic parameters, knowledge (10 items), attitudes (10 items), and
practices (8 items). Statistical analysis was executed using IBM SPSS v26.0, applying descriptive
frequencies, percentages, and one-way ANOVA.
Conclusion:The findings reveal a prominent knowledge-behavior gap among citizens. While the
mean knowledge score was moderate (62.4%), with 92.2% recognizing the dangers of expired drugs,
practical behaviors were profoundly unsafe. Specifically, 86.4% of participants discarded medication
alongside ordinary household waste, 94.0% had never returned products to pharmacies, and 0% had
utilized a designated medical disposal point. Conversely, an overwhelmingly positive public attitude
was observed, as 88.4% expressed willingness to return unused medicines if a formal pharmacy-based collection system existed. This critical disparity underscores that public awareness campaigns
alone are inadequate. There is an urgent necessity to integrate pharmacy-led take-back programs
into national environmental and health policies, establish accessible urban disposal infrastructure,
and enforce rigorous pharmaceutical waste standards in Mongolia.
- Full text:202608020148400543MPPJ-2026-29(2)-28-34.pdf
