Increasing Awareness of Proper Disposal of Unused and Expired Medication Using a Knowledge-Based Disposal Management System

Abstract

Medicines are used daily in Saudi Arabian homes. However, when these medicines are no longer needed, most people dispose of them incorrectly, forgetting the harmful impact of improper disposal. Inadequate awareness and knowledge are major reasons for improper disposal. In this study, we create a broad inclusive knowledge base that includes many types of medications available in Saudi homes and provides guidance on how to dispose of them as a means of raising awareness on correct disposal methods and preventing harmful impacts on both the environment and society. The study primarily aims to understand societal behaviour regarding the disposal of unused and expired medications and develop a prototype of a knowledge-based system that helps raise awareness of correct disposal methods for unused and expired medications. The data in the knowledge base are presented in tables that are easy to understand and comprehend, and the recommendations are also easy to apply and practice in everyday life. The results from the survey show that 66.8% of the 310 participants had unneeded medications in their homes, and only 14.9% knew how to dispose of unusable medications, while only 6.5% knew how to dispose of expired medications. Overall, the research studied Saudi society’s behaviour regarding unused and expired medications, and we created a prototype of a knowledge-based system designed to increase awareness of proper disposal and management of unused and expired medications.