Authors:

Abstract

Objectives To identify the reasons for selfmedicating children, social circumstances of the mothers, symptoms or disorders treated and the medicines used.

Design A cross sectional descriptive study.

Method Study was done by visiting homes. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on self-medication of children below 12 years of age in the preceding three months. Data was analysed using SPSS and Stats Direct statistical software (version 2.3.2.)

Results 119 mothers satisfied the inclusion criteria for study and 85% had self-medicated their children. A physician prescribing the same drug for similar symptoms previously was the commonest reason given for self-medication. Only 89% of mothers knew that self-medication could be harmful. Most mothers involved in self-medication were unemployed. Headache was the commonest symptom and paracetamol the most commonly used drug.

Conclusions This study showed the importance of educating mothers on appropriate medication of children and having safe regulatory procedures for sale of drugs in developing countries.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2005; 34: 7-12

(Key words: Self-medication, medicating children, educating mothers)

doi: 10.4038/sljch.v34i1.563

Keywords: Self-medication, medicating children, educating mothers