Awareness Of Environmental Impact Of Antibiotic Waste Disposal In Hospitals Among Medical & Nursing Students And Paramedical Staff: A Cross-Sectional Study Of 200 Healthcare Trainees And Staff

Abstract

Background: Improper disposal of unused or expired antibiotics in healthcare settings is an important contributor to environmental antibiotic contamination and the development of antimicrobial resistance. Awareness among future prescribers and frontline hospital staff is critical to safe disposal practices.

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported disposal practices related to antibiotic waste and its environmental impact among MBBS students & interns and paramedical staff (nurses and technicians) in a tertiary hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional KAP (knowledge, attitude, practice) survey was conducted among 200 participants: 100 MBBS students and interns and 100 paramedical staff (50 nurses, 50 technicians). A pre-tested structured questionnaire (knowledge score range 0–20) evaluated awareness of antibiotic environmental impact, correct disposal procedures, attitudes toward responsibility, and self-reported disposal practices. Descriptive statistics were computed. Comparisons used chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent t-tests for continuous scores; p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Of 200 participants, 100 were MBBS students/interns (50 male, 50 female; mean age 22.8 ± 2.1 years) and 100 were paramedical staff (50 nurses, 50 technicians; mean age 29.4 ± 5.6 years). Good knowledge (score ≥12/20) was observed in 60/100 (60%) MBBS participants and 40/100 (40%) paramedical staff (nurses 30/50 [60%], technicians 10/50 [20%]); chi-square = 8.00, p = 0.0047. Mean knowledge scores were: MBBS 13.5 ± 3.2, nurses 12.1 ± 3.5, technicians 9.8 ± 4.0; overall paramedical mean 10.95 ± 3.8. Positive attitude toward hospital responsibility for antibiotic waste was high in MBBS (80/100, 80%) and in paramedical staff (60/100, 60%). Self-reported correct disposal practice (always/usually use recommended hospital pharmaceutical waste stream) was 40/100 (40%) among MBBS and 50/100 (50%) among paramedical staff (nurses 35/50 [70%], technicians 15/50 [30%]; chi-square comparing MBBS vs paramedical = 2.02, p = 0.155).

Conclusions: MBBS students and interns had higher overall knowledge about environmental impacts of antibiotic waste compared with paramedical staff, primarily because technician subgroup knowledge was low. Attitudes were broadly positive across groups, but safe disposal practices were suboptimal, especially among technicians. Targeted educational interventions and improved institutional disposal pathways are recommended.