Socio-Demographic Factors of Parental Self-Medication among Children under 15 Years, at the Teaching Hospitals of Lomé, Togo

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to identify the socio-demographic factors and reasons for parental self-medication of hospitalised children under 15 years. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in Departments of Pediatry (Sylvanus Olympio and Campus Teaching Hospitals) of Lomé-commune Region during June 18th to July 18th, 2016: The study included 204 parents (or relatives) with 175 respondents (16 men, 159 women; age range of 17-65 years with a mean of 32±7.5) who practised self-medication in inpatients children (105 females, 70 males; age range 0-14 years). Eligible parents (or relatives) were interviewed, using a questionnaire on self-medication and its determinants, and pretested on a sample of ten parents. Data were computed, the proportions (%) were calculated and the results were analysed using SPSS Statistical software. Results: Among 204 parents (or relatives), 175 respondents resorted to self-medication to treat children in case of illness (85.8%). The results showed that mothers represented (151 out of 175) in self-medicating for children (86.3%). The age of parents was not associated with self-medication (p = 0.79 for father; p = 0.67 for mother). Absence of health insurance (p = 0.028 for father) and low education level (p = 0.026 for father; p = 0.007 for mother) were significantly associated with self-medication. Parent’s self-medication for children tends to decrease with the increasing age of child among the siblings. The two main factors responsible for parental self-medicating children were found to be lack of financial resources (57.7%) and self-medication as first line parental intervention in case of children’s illness (33.7%). Conclusions: Self-medication is common in children in Togo. Expanding health coverage, health education, and literacy are needed to reduce children vulnerability and potential adverse effects associated with this practice.