Frequency of self-medication with antibiotics and its associated factors among children at a public hospital in Metropolitan Lima
Frecuencia de la automedicación con antibióticos y sus factores asociados en niños de un hospital público de Lima Metropolitana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25176/RFMH.v2025i1.7039Keywords:
Self medication, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Parents, Child, Risk FactorsAbstract
Introduction: Self-medication with antibiotics is a global problem, particularly prevalent in low and middle-income countries. It mainly affects children, significantly contributing to bacterial resistance. The present study aims to determine the frequency, associated factors, and characterization of self-medication with antibiotics in children.
Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted based on a survey administered at the Santa Rosa Hospital, Lima, between December 2023 and February 2024. Parents who attended outpatient consultations and lived with their children were included. The sample size was 414 participants. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. All ethical aspects were respected.
Results: Of the 402 parents interviewed, 39.1% reported having self-medicated their child at some point. The main reasons were sore throat and fever, with amoxicillin being the most commonly used antibiotic (59.1%). The factors significantly associated with self-medication were the child’s age, family income, and the number of children.
Conclusions: 4 in 10 children have self-medicated at some point in their lives. Our findings highlight the need to implement educational interventions targeted at families with lower incomes and multiple children, who are more prone to self-medication.
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