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Abstract The concept of non-prescribed medication involves the use of medications with curative intent but without professional advice. Also involve the intermittent or continuous use of a medication prescribed by physician for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms. (Atray and Kumar, 2013). Children are tomorrow’s investment and the management of future societies depends on today’s physical and mental health of the children. In this regard, an important factor in maintaining the health of children is to increase the awareness of mothers and families of the importance of children care, especially when the children are getting sick. Studies show that non-prescribed medication consumption by mothers for children is increasing (Salarkia, Amini, Abdollahi and Eshrati, 2010). However, there are risks associated with non-prescribed medications use, such as incorrect self-diagnosis, delaying diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses, delay in seeking advice from a healthcare profession, increased risk of medication-medication interaction (World Health Organization, 2011). Several factors induce the practice of non-prescribed medication, such as indiscriminate sale of medications, especially because of the difficulty to access health systems and the costs of health plans and medical consultations. On the other hand, little is known about the characteristics of the population associated to this practice. A better understanding of the characteristics presented by individuals who use non-prescribed medication will facilitate the observation of groups at higher risk and, therefore, more attention should be dedicated to them (Elseviers, Wettermark, Almarsdóttir, Andersen, Benko, etal., 2016).Aim of the study was to: Enhance mothers’ awareness, attitude and practice about non- prescribed medications. a quasi- experimental (Pre & post) research design was used to achieve the aim of the study. Study setting: A multistage random selection of one district out of 9 districts in Menoufia Governorate was done. The selected district was Shibin El Kom. Shibin El Kom district has 20 maternal and child health centers. Out of 20 MCH centers the researcher randomly selected 2 MCH centers named Quabli and Bahary in which sample was taken. Study Sample: A convenience sample of 80 mothers who have children from 1 to 5 years and attend maternal and child health center (Quabli and Bahary) in shibin Elkom district, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The number of mothers chosen from each maternal and child health center was 35 mothers from maternal and child health center (Quabli) and 45 mothers from maternal and child health center (Bahary) according to the following criteria: - Inclusion criteria: Mothers have children from 1 year to 5 years. Mothers use non-prescribed medications. Exclusion criteria: Children with life threatening medical condition as thalassemia, chronic diseases, hemophilia, and etc...these condition require medical attention and mothers aware of severity of these condition. Instrument of data collection:The data of the study were collected using a structured interview questionnaire. This questionnaire was in a form of multiple choice and know and don’t know questions. This questionnaire consists of five parts, first part was concerned with the socio-demographic characteristic of mothers, second part was concerned with the reasons for using non- prescribed medications for the children, third part concerned with mothers’ awareness (knowledge) about non-prescribed medications for the children, fourth part This part concerned with mothers’ reported practice about non-prescribed medication for the children. This part classified into two sub parts concerned with: -mothers’ reported negative practice regarding non-prescribed medications and mothers’ reported positive practice about non-prescribed medications for the children and fifth part concerned with mothers’ reported attitude about non-prescribed medications for children. This part classified into two sub parts concerned with: -mothers’ reported negative attitude toward non-prescribed medications and mothers’ reported positive attitude about non-prescribed medications for children. The main finding of the present study revealed the following: Regarding reasons for using non-prescribed medications for children, more than half of studied mothers reported that reason for using non-prescribed medications was that the mothers use the same medication before. Regarding the most common used types of non-prescribed medications for children, more than one third of studied mothers used combined types of non-prescribed medication as (antipyretic and cough and common cold medications, pain killers and antibiotic medication).Regarding symptoms to use non-prescribed medication for children, less than half of studied mothers used it for other combined symptoms as (fever, cough and common cold and body pain). Regarding sources of information about non-prescribed medications, more than half of the studied sample depend on pharmacists as a source of information about non-prescribed medication. There was high statistical significant improvement regarding effect of counseling on mothers’ mean total awareness about non- prescribed medication, pre intervention mothers’ mean of total awareness score was 3.4 while post intervention mothers’ mean of total awareness score was 7.7. There was high statistical significant improvement regarding effect of counseling on mothers’ mean total practice about non-prescribed medication, pre intervention mothers’ mean of total practice score was 24.4 while post intervention mothers’ mean of total practice score was 30. There was high statistical significant improvement regarding effect of counseling on mothers’ mean total attitude about non-prescribed medication, pre intervention mothers’ mean of total attitude score was 22 while post intervention mothers’ mean of total attitude score was 27.7. Based on the finding of the current study, it was concluded that: - Non-prescribed medication is common public health problem affecting many families leading to risky health problems affecting child’s health.Implementation of counseling nursing intervention technique had to improve mothers’ awareness, attitude and practice about non- prescribed medications among children under five years after two months. There was high statistical significant improvement in the mean scores of mothers’ total awareness, attitude and practice about non- prescribed medications for children after intervention compared with pre intervention scores. Recommendation: Based on the previous finding of the current study, it was recommended that: - 1- Multi-educational program for the mother regarding non- prescribed medication by describing negative effect of non- prescribed medications on the children health through primary healthcare facilities as maternal and child health centers. 2- Community- based health education programs must be organized to health care professionals, especially nurses and pharmacists about non-prescribed medications hazard as (medication interaction, overdose, etc..). 3- Television advertisement on medications should be prohibited including practice of non-prescribed medications by responsible affairs. 4- Ongoing surveillance and frequent check on non-prescribed medications consumption by consumers, especially for the children. 5- Further studies regarding non-prescribed medication in children are still needed with large sample.Enforcing the role of the mass media in improving attitude toward prescribed medications. |