Prevalence of the effective factors in self-medication among parents of 8-1year old children visiting Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas

Self-Medication is a Socioeconomic Health Problem in Different Communities. However/ There is a Need for Special Attention to Self-Medication Among Parents Especially Those Taking Care of Children? Therefore, The Present Research Aimed to Investigate The Prevalence of Self-Medication Among The Parents of 8-1Year Old Children Visiting Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas. The Present Descriptive-Analytical Study Was Conducted on 200 Parents of 8-1Year Old Children Visiting Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas. The Sampling Was Simple Randomized. The Data Collection Instrument Was a Questionnaire Comprised of Six Sections: Demographic Information (1 Items), Cues For Action, Gaining Information About Self-Medication and Factors Involved in Preventing Self-Medication (2 Items)/ Parents’ Performance of Self-Medication (8 Items), Diseases Being Self-Medicated (14 Items), Drugs Self-Prescribed (21 Items) and Parents’ Attitude toward The Factors Involved in Self-Medication (21 Items). The Data Were Analyzed Through SPSS 19 Using The Required Statistical Tests. The Mean Age of The Mother Participants Was 31/41±8/011 Years. 140 Mothers (70%) Were Housewife; 60 (30%) Were Employed. The Mean age of The Children Was 4/406±1.84 Years. 105 Children (52/5%) Were Female While 95 (47/5%) Were Male. 128 Parents (64%) Showed to Have Self-Medicated Drugs to Children. The Key Reasons for Self-
Medication Were Easy Access to Drugs at Pharmacies Over The Counter (N=143/ 71/5%)/ Availability of The Drugs at Home or Provided by Acquaintances (N=131/ 65/5%)/ Previous Experience of The Disease (N=107/ 53/5%). The Most Prevalent Drugs Taken Were: Cold Pills (N=199/ 99/5%)/ Sedatives (N=195/ 97/5%)/ Antibiotics (N=105/ 52/.5%). The Most Common
Type of Drug Taken Was Tablets/Pills. Statistically Significant Correlations Were Found Between The Prevalence of Self- Medication and Place of Residence (P-Value<0/019). Parents’ Education (P-Value<0/001). Parents’ Occupation (PValue< 0/001). Insurance (P-Value<0/013). The Number of Children (P-Value=.001) and Income (P-Value<0/017). As in The Present Research aHigh Percentage of Parents Tried Self-Medications for Their Children/ It Is Essential toHold Classes to Teach Them The Logical Consumption of Drugs and Make Them Aware of The Adverse Effects of Drugs Especially For Parents.