Caregivers’ Perception and Practice of Self-medication for Fevers in Under-five Children: A Cross-sectional Study in a Rural Community, South-East Nigeria

Background: Self-medication for febrile illnesses in children is a common practice among caregivers particularly in resource limited settings where over-the-counter medications and prescription-only medications are easily accessible. The most often used drugs in these settings include: anti-malaria, analgesics, antibiotics, anti-helminetics local herbs and home-made remedies.

The drugs mostly used by caregivers include: Anti-malaria, Local Herbs, Home-made remedies, Analgesics, Antibiotics and anti-helminthics. Mis- diagnosis and inappropriate use of medications as well as delay in seeking appropriate healthcare could lead to complications including mortality.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the perception and practice of caregivers on self-medications for febrile illnesses in their under-five children.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a rural community over a 6-month period (June –December 2016). Respondents were selected by systematic random sampling upon their informed written consent. Relevant caregiver and child related information was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Data was analyzed using SPSS software package version 20.0 (IBM SPSS), and results presented as percentages, proportions, and inferential statistics. The differences in proportions were tested for statistical significance using the Pearson chi-square test while p value < 0.05 was adopted as the level of statistical significance.

Results: Two hundred and twenty one respondents were studied of which 199 (90%) practiced self-medication for different cause of febrile illnesses in their children. Caregivers educational status (p = 0.001) was significantly associated with their perception and practice of self-medication among their children with febrile illness.

The major reasons for self-medication were high cost of hospital treatment, long waiting hours, possession of previous prescriptions and the belief on self-experience.

Conclusion: Self-medication is highly practiced among caregivers of under-five children with fever in the study population. Respondents were influenced in this practice by their educational status.