Knowledge, attitude and practice about self-medication among mothers in Arak, Iran

Objective (s): To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice about self-medication among mothers in Arak, Iran.

This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out with random sampling on 300 mothers referring to health centers in Arak. The data was collected by a questionnaire and a checklist. For analyzing the data we used the chi-square test، analysis of variance، Pearson correlation and considering significant values of P<0. 05.

The mean age of mothers was 34. 5 ±6. 6 years and 61. 2% of mothers had poor knowledge، 28. 6% average and 10. 2% had good knowledge about correct consumption of drugs. In this study 15. 2% of mothers had poor attitude، 48. 5% moderate and 36. 3% had positive attitude about self medication. In this study the prevalence of self-medication in mothers was 56. 5%. There was a significant relationship between knowledge and practice about self medication (P<0. 01). Self-medication was more common in women having more knowledge than the others. More self-medication was seen among mother with a job and higher education level.

The prevalence of self-medication among the mothers was very high and necessarily there should be a program for changing the attitude and the habits of mothers to refer to physician when they are ill.