Frequency of and Factors Associated With Prescription Medication Sharing Within Families

Abstract

Objectives: Limited literature has investigated caregiver sharing of prescription medications with children. Our primary aim was to determine the frequency of and factors associated with prescription medication sharing within families. Our secondary aim was to determine the source and type of medications shared. Methods:We conducted a survey of a convenience sample of caregivers of children 1 to 17 years in a pediatric emergency department. The survey was developed through literature review, iterative feedback, and pilot testing on caregivers. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with any history of medication sharing with a child in the home (primary outcome). Results:We enrolled 550 primary caregivers; 68 of the 535 analyzed (12.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0-15.8) reported prescription medication sharing with their child/children. Of those who shared, 50 (73.5%) shared asthma medications and 14 (20.6%) shared antibiotics. Of the caregivers who shared prescription medications, 70.6% shared a medication for one child with another child, whereas 33.8% of caregivers shared their own or another adult's medication with their child. A child in the home with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.35; CI, 1.82-6.17), a greater number of children in the household (aOR, 1.29; CI, 1.04-1.60), and a caregiver who previously shared medications with other family members and/or friends (aOR, 4.10; CI, were factors independently associated with medication sharing.Conclusions: Prescription medication sharing within families is common and most often involves asthma medications. We identified several factors associated with prescription medication sharing that could be used to target caregivers for preventative interventions.

Caregiver Practices and Knowledge Regarding Leftover Prescription Medications in Homes With Children

“…Given that children are often prescribed antibiotics for childhood illnesses, this might be expected. However, the availability of antibiotics is concerning, potentially leading to subsequent use for their children as well as medication sharing 8,23 . Self-medication and medication sharing can lead to delayed presentation to medical care, misdiagnosis, adverse drug events, and antibiotic resistance 24,25 .…”

“…However, the availability of antibiotics is concerning, potentially leading to subsequent use for their children as well as medication sharing. 8,23 Self-medication and medication sharing can lead to delayed presentation to medical care, misdiagnosis, adverse drug events, and antibiotic resistance. 24,25 In addition, the presence of leftover antibiotics and other medications with prescribed treatment course durations suggests that the prescribed course was not completed or excess medication was prescribed.…”

“…We conducted a planned secondary analysis from a selfadministered, paper-based survey study of primary caregivers of children presenting to a single, urban tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED) with an annual volume of 55,000 patients. 8 The study was determined to be exempt from full review by the Columbia University Institutional Review Board. All participants received an information sheet.…”

“…5 Leftover or expired prescription medications (referred to as "leftover medications" in this article) in the home may increase the risk of unintentional exposures by young children or intentional misuse by adolescents and may facilitate medication sharing. [6][7][8][9] In the setting of the opioid epidemic and the risk of morbidity and mortality to opioid exposures in youth, the research on leftover medications in the home has focused on opioids. 10,11 Studies of pediatric patients prescribed opioids demonstrate that patients commonly have unused opioids and caregivers often store these leftover opioids in the home.…”

Household medication safety practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive qualitative study protocol

“… 7–10 Examples of lay involvement include patients and family members routinely taking on medication management roles, 9 11–13 often of complex medication regimens and in challenging contexts, such as in dementia, 14–16 heart failure, 17 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 18 cancer 19 and home palliative care. 20 However, there are known hazards in lay medication practices, including errors in medication administration, 9 sharing or borrowing prescribed medication, 21 22 unsafe or unsuitable storage 23 24 or disposal, 19 hoarding, 17 25 stockpiling 17 and non-adherence. 26 Therefore, there is much to address before the full potential of lay involvement in safe household medication use can be realised.…”