A survey on Bangladeshi parent's practice, knowledge and attitudes of self-medication to their children

Abstract

A survey entitled “An Analysis on Bangladeshi Parents’ practice, knowledge and attitudes of self-medication to their children” was conducted in Dhaka city. The aims and objectives of this study were to estimate the educational status of the parents and income level of the family which is related to knowledge about the medicines and afford to buy medicines, determine current health status of the children, common diseases of them, determine the prevalence and pattern of self-medication practices in Dhaka city, determine parents’ knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication to their children. After this study it is seen that self-medication tendency of parents to their children varies on age, previous experience, sort of disease and monthly net house hold income. Most of the parent self-medicated (65%) their child when they suffered from any disease, disorder or injury. Significant number of parents (34%) consulted to physician. Majority of the respondents (74%) have educational qualification within or below class 12 equivalent. Most of the children (44%) were suffered from fever. Some of them were also attacked by common cold and respiratory disease like pneumonia, asthma (32.44%). Few are suffered from some gastrointestinal disease like dysentery, diarrhea, food-poisoning. Form this study it is seen that all the children suffered from various diseases during last 6 months but almost 94.2% parents thought their child’s health status is good enough. Only 1.8% parents thought their child’s health status is poor. From this study it is seen that paracetamol, metronidazole, desloratadine, fexofenadine are the most common self-medicated medicine. When the parents were asked about antibiotic resistance then most of the respondents said that they do not have any idea about antibiotic resistance. They even do not know whether antibiotics are effective or not in viral fever. But most shocking thing is that about 45% parents agreed with the statement of viral infection with fever should be treated with antibiotics. A certain percent parents (58.6%) even do not know whether antibiotics are effective or not in the treatment of same infection in future if the full courses of the therapy do not maintained properly. Parents have to be concerned about antibiotics; they should not self-medicated antibiotics to their children.