Assessment of Self-Medication for Urtis Among Children in Tema East Sub-Metro in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.

Abstract

Introduction: The burden of URTIs is common in children due to their weak immune systems leading to persistent morbidities such as pneumonia which increases the risk of mortality levels among children below five (5) years. The long hours spent at the health center discourages some care-givers from seeking professional help to diagnose and treat their children who are suffering from URTIs. Most caregivers therefore consider URTIs as minor ailments thus, they resort to home remedies using herbal medicines or antibiotics purchased Over the Counter (OTC). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of self-medication and the factors that influence self-medication among children less than five years in the Tema East sub- metropolis. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used with selected sample of 151. Parents/caregivers were randomly selected. Structured-questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses was used. Results: The response rate was 83.4%. The overall prevalence of self-medication was 78.6%. Responsible and irresponsible self-medication were 41.4% and 58.6% respectively. Socio-economic factors were not significantly associated with self-medication. Provider factors was 0.1 times more at odds with self-medication among parents/caregivers than personal/household/social and media factors. Conclusion: This study concludes self-medication was high in the Tema East Sub-Metro especially irresponsible self-medication. This was mainly influenced by provider factors and not socio-economic factors.