Factors Influencing over the Counter Medication Use in Management of Childhood Illness among Mothers Attending Nnarambia Health Center, Imo State.

Abstract

The study determined factors influencing over the counter medication use in management of childhood illness among mothers attending Nnarambia health center, Imo State. Three objectives guided the study. A simple random sampling was used to select 100mothers rendering mothering care to their children who attend Nnarambia Health center, Imo state. A researcher-structured and validated questionnaire consisting mainly of closed and a few open –ended questions was used to collect data from selected respondents. Quantitative data obtained was analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS/IBM version 25. Findings revealed that the participants had a general good level of knowledge of OTC drugs (72%).Drugs for pain killers (paracetamol), anti-diarrhoea agents (loperamide), antibiotic agents (metronidazole and tetracycline) were the most patronised OTC drug (89%, 78%, 71% and 68% respectively). Major predisposing the mothers to use OTC drugs were recommendations from friends and family (91%), previous success (76%) and online reviews or information (58%).Conclusively, the study therefore recommends thathealth education on drug use during antenatal health talk should be emphasized in health care facilities.Government should also ensure that essential drugs are made available in health facilities considering the fact that out of stock syndrome could perpetuate maternal use of OTC drugs in the treatment of minor ailments.