Drug use and self-medication among children with respiratory illness or diarrhea in a rural district in Vietnam: a qualitative study

Abstract

AimsTo explore the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents in their use of drugs for respiratory illness or diarrhea among children under 5 years of age, and to understand factors influencing self-medication.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with two drug sellers and three health care providers, and four focus-group discussions with mothers of children under 5 years of age. Verbatim transcriptions were analyzed, and emerging themes and categories identified, using content analysis.ResultsUse of a number of different drugs was reported, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids. There was poor awareness of side-effects, antibiotic resistance, and drug efficacy. Factors influencing self-medication were perceptions of the illness in the child, waiting time, and convenience, the attitudes of public health medical staff, insufficient drug supply in public health facilities, and poor control of prescribed drugs on the market.ConclusionMisuse and misconceptions regarding drug use gave rise to considerable problems. Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes to illness and health care services played an important role in determining the nature of self-medication. Financial barriers were not the only obstacle to adequate treatment. Health services should be more accessible and responsive to the needs of the population.

Father’s roles and perspectives on healthcare seeking for children with pneumonia: findings of a qualitative study in a rural community of the Philippines

“… 42 However, caregivers are usually not aware of side-effects and drug efficacy. 43 Additionally, a gap may exist between illness recognition and seeking outside care because of the wait to complete a drug course which can result in a major delay in getting appropriate treatment. 17 44 Previous studies have shown that home treatment is associated with a delay in seeking appropriate treatment.…”

Harmful practices in the management of childhood diarrhea in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…Multiple studies reported caregiver beliefs that modern medicines are powerful [ 64 – 67 ], and more effective in treating diarrhea than ORS [ 65 , 68 ]. Multiple studies reported drugs were widely available and affordable in the public and private sector, typically without prescription [ 35 , 38 , 40 , 44 , 49 , 52 , 64 , 69 ]. In many contexts, caregivers stocked drugs at home, purchasing them in advance or saving leftover medication from previous illnesses [ 33 , 37 , 38 , 52 , 70 ].…”

“…Caregivers may have also influenced provider behavior as caregivers’ preference for drug therapies creates pressure on providers to give medications in addition or instead of ORS [ 28 , 33 , 65 , 72 ]. Drugs were given in sub-clinical doses in multiple studies [ 67 , 69 , 73 ]. It was common in studies for children to receive multiple drugs for a single episode of diarrhea, often from the same source [ 67 , 74 – 77 ].…”

Misconceptions of parents about antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infections: A survey in primary schools of the Eastern Province, KSA

“…[ 4 ] In Vietnam, mothers often self-medicated when they thought the child was not ill enough to be taken to hospital. [ 6 ]…”

“…Many authorities consider such practices as incomplete antibiotic course, suboptimal dose, self-prescription, re-use of leftover antibiotics, and inappropriate attitude as the leading causes of the development of antibiotic resistance. [ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ]…”