PURPOSE: The goal was to determine the prevalence of medicine use and to provide population-based information on factors associated with medicine use, including prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, in children aged under 12 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional population survey of a random sample of children aged under 12 years (n = 6000) was carried out in Finland in spring 2007, with a response rate of 67%. A questionnaire was sent to their parents. Current use of medicines prescribed by a physician and use of OTC medicines during the preceding two days were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The prevalence of current prescribed medicine use was 17%, and the 2-day prevalence of OTC medicine use 17% (vitamins excluded). The use of prescribed medicines was higher among children with illnesses diagnosed by a physician. Additionally, predictors for the use of prescribed medicines were young age among boys, health status worse than good, and the use of any prescribed medicines by a parent. The predictors for the use of OTC medicines by the child were young age and fairly good to poor health status, and the use of OTC medicines by a parent. However, children with any illnesses diagnosed by a physician were less likely to use OTC medicines. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of children use prescription and OTC medicines in Finland. Young age and health-related factors, morbidity and health status, and parental medicine use predicted children's medicine use. Further studies are needed to examine the association between parents' and children's medicine use.
PURPOSE: The goal was to determine the prevalence of medicine use and to provide population-based information on factors associated with medicine use, including prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, in children aged under 12 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional population survey of a random sample of children aged under 12 years (n = 6000) was carried out in Finland in spring 2007, with a response rate of 67%. A questionnaire was sent to their parents. Current use of medicines prescribed by a physician and use of OTC medicines during the preceding two days were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The prevalence of current prescribed medicine use was 17%, and the 2-day prevalence of OTC medicine use 17% (vitamins excluded). The use of prescribed medicines was higher among children with illnesses diagnosed by a physician. Additionally, predictors for the use of prescribed medicines were young age among boys, health status worse than good, and the use of any prescribed medicines by a parent. The predictors for the use of OTC medicines by the child were young age and fairly good to poor health status, and the use of OTC medicines by a parent. However, children with any illnesses diagnosed by a physician were less likely to use OTC medicines. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of children use prescription and OTC medicines in Finland. Young age and health-related factors, morbidity and health status, and parental medicine use predicted children's medicine use. Further studies are needed to examine the association between parents' and children's medicine use.
Authors: L Lindell-Osuagwu; K Sepponen; S Farooqui; H Kokki; K Hämeen-Anttila; K Vainio Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2012-10-24 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Katri P Hämeen-Anttila; Ulla R Niskala; Sanna M Siponen; Riitta S Ahonen Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2011-11-04 Impact factor: 3.659
Authors: Salvatore Italia; Irene Brüske; Joachim Heinrich; Dietrich Berdel; Andrea von Berg; Irina Lehmann; Marie Standl; Silke B Wolfenstetter Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2015-11-19 Impact factor: 2.953