Ghita Meknassi Salime, Ali Cherif Chefchaouni, Omar El Hamdaoui, Yassir Elalaoui
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Self-medication, the practice of administering medications without a medical prescription, has become a ubiquitous reality in many homes. Although often seen as a practical solution to alleviate minor ailments, it also raises major concerns, particularly when it involves children. Indeed, self-medication among children by their parents is a complex phenomenon, influenced by various social, cultural and economic factors.
Objectives: The main objective of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication of the pediatric population by parents in the Midelt region and to identify its determinants.
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire with 127 parents of children under 12 years old visiting community pharmacies in the region, between May 1 and October 31, 2022.
Results: the prevalence of self-medication was 92.9%, the majority of parents resorted to self-medication of their children for benign pathologies; transient fever, minimal pain and nasopharyngitis. This self-medication is done very early, between 6 months and 2 years. 41.5% of parents used age as a criterion to determine the dose, 49.2% exchanged the dose measurement system between two medications, 76.3% used drug combinations for self-medication, antipyretic analgesics and antibiotics are the therapeutic classes most used in self-medication, 42.2% use the syrup or oral suspension form when self-medicating their children and 64% stated that the pharmacist is their source of information relating to medications.
Conclusions: This research found widespread use of self-medication among children by their parents, particularly among those with secondary education living in urban area. These findings underline the need to develop a therapeutic education program intended for families, in collaboration with community pharmacists and various health professionals. The aim is to strengthen the safety of children by encouraging more responsible medical practices within homes.
期刊介绍:
This journal proposes a scientific information validated and indexed to be informed about the last research works in all the domains interesting the pharmacy. The original works, general reviews, the focusing, the brief notes, subjected by the best academics and the professionals, propose a synthetic approach of the last progress accomplished in the concerned sectors. The thematic Sessions and the – life of the Academy – resume the communications which, presented in front of the national Academy of pharmacy, are in the heart of the current events.