Self-medication with common household medicines by young adolescents

Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs. 2001 Jan-Mar;24(1):57-67. doi: 10.1080/014608601300035625.

Abstract

Our study examines the self-medication practices of children ages 10-14. We developed a questionnaire that addressed several aspects of such behavior. A convenience sample of subjects (n = 86) completed the questionnaires in school settings in a northeastern metropolitan area. The data showed that a vast majority of the adolescents (89%) have access to the medicine in their households: 36% of them medicated themselves the last time they had any medicine. Most of their medication choices were appropriate, except in the area of gastrointestinal problems. There is a need for further investigation of this issue and incorporating the findings into the practice of pediatric nurses.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Needs Assessment
  • New England
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Psychology, Child
  • Sampling Studies
  • School Nursing
  • Self Medication / psychology*
  • Self Medication / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires