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[Self-medication, self-prescription and medicating «by proxy» in paediatrics]

María Valenzuela Ortiz1, Francisco Javier Sánchez Ruiz-Cabello2, José Uberos3

  • 1Grupo de Investigación (PAI) CTS 190, Granada, España.

Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|July 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Mothers with higher education and more children are more likely to self-medicate their children. This practice, often using home first-aid kit medications, is common in pediatric emergency departments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Self-medication by proxy in children is not a voluntary decision but based on parental interpretation of symptoms.
  • Understanding the factors influencing this practice is crucial for addressing pediatric healthcare challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze maternal and familial factors determining self-prescribing and self-medicating by proxy in pediatric patients.
  • To investigate the perceptions and realities surrounding medication practices for children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study was conducted.
  • A validated survey was administered to mothers of children aged 0-14 presenting at a Paediatric Emergency Department.
  • 1,714 mothers were recruited, with 345 in the self-medicating group and 1,369 in the control group.

Main Results:

  • 32.8% of mothers engaged in self-medication by proxy.
  • Significant associations were found between self-medicating and maternal educational level, number of children, and birth order.
  • Antipyretics and 'anticatharrals' were the most frequently used drugs, typically as monotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Higher maternal education and parental experience may increase confidence in self-prescribing for children.
  • Approximately 85% of self-prescribed medications were sourced from home first-aid kits.
  • These findings highlight the need for targeted parental education on safe medication practices.
Abstract

Keywords:
Atención PrimariaAutocuidadosAutomedicación en niñosMedicación por poderesMedicating ‘by proxy’Primary Health CareSelf-careSelf-medicating in children

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