Knowledge of pharmaceutical waste among patent medicine vendors in Jalingo metropolis, North-Central Nigeria

Background: Patent Medicine Vendors are individuals without formal pharmacy training that are involved in the retail of medicines. They have potential to generate a large volume of pharmaceutical waste and hence constitute a source of concern if proper pharmaceutical waste management is to be ensured.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of pharmaceutical waste management among Patent Medicine Vendors in Jalingo Metropolis, North Central Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2017 among Patent Medicine Vendors in Jalingo City. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Responses to the knowledge questions were scored and graded as poor (<50%), fair (50-74%) and good (≥75%). Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Response rate was 81.97%. Age range and mean age of the respondents were 20-61 years and 34.07±9.99 years respectively. Majority of the respondents were males (72.00%). Igbo (31.33%) and HausaFulani (30.67%) ethnic groups dominated the profession. Half (50.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge of pharmaceutical waste management. The mean knowledge score (%) was 73.02±14.33.

Conclusion: Patent medicine vending was male and Hausa-Fulani/Igbo ethnic groups dominated. Few of the Patent Medicine Vendors were below the recommended age for Patent Medicine Vendors. Only half of the Patent Medicine Vendors had good knowledge of pharmaceutical waste management. Enforcement of guidelines for Patent Medicine Vendors and continuous training of patent medicine vendors on pharmaceutical waste management are therefore recommended.