An evaluation of the home medical waste problem in Buraidah city: applied geographical study

Abstract EN

This study aims to evaluate the home medical waste problem in Buraidah city and presents the types of this problem and shows the reasons behind this problem.

The study also aims to discover the degree of individuals’ awareness of this problem and how to get rid of it, and to clarify the procedures which should be implemented by responsible authorities in order to manage the home medical waste problem in Buraidah city.

The sample of the study consists of 180 families from all residential quarters around Buraidah city.

The results of the study show that individuals in Buraidah city do not have complete knowledge about how dangerous the home medical waste problem is in their homes, and that they also don't know how to deal with it and what is the safe way to get rid of it.

There is also no clear policy from responsible authorities to evaluate how big the problem is and are the procedures to deal with it.

The study has some recommendations, such as making patrol units to gather excess medications from homes under the supervision of the municipality of Buraidah city, providing necessary mechanisms for safe disposal, and organizing advertising campaigns carried out by competent medical professionals and members of the authorities which aim to raise health awareness among citizens and clarify the results of the wrong use of medicines and the dangers of home medical waste on the environment and economy.