Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Knowledge and Attitude towards Unused & Expired Medicines: A case Study of Elderly Population in Islamabad

Abstract

Unused and expired medicines can be stored by elderly people at their homes for future use. Based upon the basics of Immunological Theory of Aging and theory of Knowledge, attitude and Practice (KAP), this study evaluated how socio-demographic factors effects knowledge and attitude of unused and expired medicines among the elderly population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Through random sampling, quantitative data using structured questionnaires was collected from 135 respondents of age sixty and above. Data was analyzed using SPSS-23. Results indicated that except for age and income have a significant relationship with knowledge and attitude towards unused and expired medicines respectively, while others do not have any effect on either knowledge and attitude. The findings of study suggested that there is a lack of knowledge and attitude towards unused and expired medicines among the elderly population residing in twin cities. Therefore, there is a need of awareness campaigns in order to educated them properly. Lastly, for better understanding, recommendations along with future directions are also presented at the end of the study.