The Use of Non-Prescribed Medicines in Infants from Birth to Six Months in Rural Areas of Polokwane Municipality-Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NPM, describe the types of medications used, and explain why caregivers use NMP in infants younger than six months of age. A quantitative approach and a facility-based cross-sectional survey were used to conduct this study. Convenience sampling was used to select clinics, and proportionality and simple random sampling were used to select 146 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS (29). A p-value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. In this study, the prevalence of NPM was 75.3%. Of the 146 participants, most were 25-35 years old (54%) and first-time mothers (36.3%). More caregivers had high school and matric (67.1%), and 84.2% of caregivers delivered in public health facilities. Almost three-quarters are unemployed (66.7%) and on a child support grant (56.4%). About 43.6% of infants received NPM within the first month of life. The main source of advice to give NPM was family members (86.4%). The main reasons for administering NPM were the treatment of the umbilical cord (57.3%) and the prevention of colic (32.7%). The results show a statistically significant association between the administration of medication and the age of the infant, p < 0.005. Non-prescribed medications are highly prevalent in the rural areas of Polokwane and are practiced by caregivers between the ages of 25-35 years advised by the families. Access to self-medication should be controlled, especially in the first month of life. Interventions to reduce the use of NPM should be targeted at young mothers and their families.