Abstract
Background: Improper storage and disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicines can compromise medication safety and contribute to environmental contamination. University students are an important group for promoting responsible medicine-handling practices.
Objective: To assess and compare knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the safe storage and disposal of medicines among Pharmacy and Engineering students and to assess changes in knowledge following a structured educational intervention.
Methods: A prospective pre-test/post-test interventional study was conducted among 344 students (172 Pharmacy and 172 Engineering students) at SJM Institutes, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered, subject-expert-reviewed questionnaire comprising 10 knowledge, 10 attitude, and 15 practice items. Following the pre-test, participants received an awareness presentation and informational leaflets, followed by a post-test to assess changes in knowledge. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics version 30. Paired- and independent-samples t-tests were used, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Pharmacy students had significantly higher baseline knowledge scores than Engineering students (7.35 ± 1.449 vs 6.41 ± 1.851; p<0.001). Knowledge scores increased significantly among both Pharmacy students (9.71 ± 0.570; mean gain 2.36 ± 1.422; p<0.001) and Engineering students (8.26 ± 1.292; mean gain 1.85 ± 1.334; p<0.001). Pharmacy students showed a significantly greater mean knowledge gain than Engineering students (p<0.001). Although attitudes were generally favourable, unsafe disposal practices were common, with household trash being the most frequently reported disposal method.
Conclusion: Knowledge scores increased significantly following the educational intervention among both Pharmacy and Engineering students. Pharmacy students had higher baseline knowledge and greater mean improvement than Engineering students. The persistence of unsafe disposal practices highlights the need for practical guidance and accessible medicine collection services.