Self-Medication with Over-the-Counter Drugs in Children: Examining the Common Medications and Factors Influencing Mothers' Choices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v24i3.824Keywords:
Self-medication, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Under-five children, Mothers' attitudes, Antibiotic resistanceAbstract
Background: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs among children is widespread and crosses socioeconomic lines. Although OTC drugs offer convenience, their unregulated use can pose health risks, especially to children. Understanding these risks and the factors influencing self-medication practices is crucial for developing safer medication approaches. The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes and practices of mothers toward self-medication with OTC drugs for their children in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 300 randomly selected mothers with children <14 years in Awka, Anambra State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic factors, self-medication practices, sources of OTC medications, and attitudes toward self-medications. A three–point Likert scale was used to assess the attitude of mothers towards OTC. The data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Sociodemographic variables and self-medication-related variables were summarized using frequency counts, percentages, ranges, means, and standard deviations. Test for association was done using Chi-square test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant at 95% confidence interval. Predictors of self-medication among the study participants were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.
Result: The mean age of the mothers was 33.34 ± 7.54 years, with most under 40 years old. The study found that 82.33% of mothers practiced self-medication, with paracetamol and cough syrups being the most commonly used OTC medications. Sources of information on OTC were mostly from pharmacists and doctors. Significant associations were observed between the practice of self-medication and maternal age (χ2 = 15.556, p = 0.001), number of children (χ2 = 43.178, p = 0.001), and the severity of symptoms (χ2 = 214.915, p = 0.001). Predictors of self-medication included the maternal age 30-39 years, long waiting times, and negative attitudes of healthcare workers (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of self-medication with OTC drugs among mothers is influenced by various factors, including long waiting times at hospitals, cost considerations, and the attitudes of healthcare workers. To mitigate risks, public health interventions should focus on education, poverty alleviation programs, and stricter regulation of OTC medications. Further studies are recommended to involve a wider population and explore the long-term effects of self-medication in children.
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