The Parental Perceptions and Practices Regarding Self-medication among Their Children in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Self-medication practices (SMP) are a major public health concern that lead to the irrational use of drugs eventually resulting in adverse drug events. The present study aimed to assess the parental perceptions and practices regarding the self-medication of their children. Methods A validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.802) was utilized in this cross-sectional study to analyze parental SMP in their children and associated factors among the residents of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Results Out of 420 study participants, 391 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Among them, a majority (90.5%) of respondents self-medicate their children frequently with antipyretic (86.7%), anti-emetics (54.2%), analgesics (55.1%), and antibiotics (52.0%) for illnesses like fever (95.5%), cough (89.5%), vomiting (69.2%), flu (57.3%), and diarrhea (52.3%). The parental age (p < 0.001), number of children (p = 0.021), level of education (p < 0.001), and profession (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with SMP. Conclusion The current study revealed a high prevalence of parental SMP among their children in Southern Punjab, even with prescription-only medication like antibiotics. Health regulatory agencies in Pakistan should take aggressive measures to address the increasing self-medication trend in children by initiating parental educational programs.