Mar Martín-Pérez1, Ana López De Andrés1, Miguel Ángel Barcenilla González2, Rodrigo Jiménez-García3, Valentín Hernández-Barrera3, Isabel Jiménez-Trujillo3, Domingo Palacios-Ceña3, Pilar Carrasco-Garrido3. 1. MPH candidate in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Ana López De Andrés, PharmD, PhD, MPH, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. 2. Research Associate in Child and Adolescent Department of Psychiatry, General University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. 3. Senior Lecturer in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Valentín Hernández-Barrera, MSc, is a Statistician in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Isabel Jiménez-Trujillo, PhD, MPH, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Domingo Palacios-Ceña, PhD, MPH, is a Lecturer in the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; and Pilar Carrasco-Garrido, PharmD, PhD, MPH, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and predictors of parental administration of over-the-counter (OTC) medications to children in Spain. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed with data from the 2011 to 2012 Spanish National Health Survey among children (birth to 14 years old) of both sexes. RESULTS: Of the 5,495 children analyzed, 8.2% had received OTC drugs in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. Medicines for colds (25.5%), analgesics (30.3%), and antipyretics (22.8%) were the most commonly used drugs. Some of the predictor variables of parental administration of OTC medications included older age groups (10- to 15-year-olds, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.45), no chronic illness (AOR = 1.21), children with limitations of normal activity (AOR = 3.05), parents of middle (AOR = 1.42) and higher (AOR = 1.38) social status, and completion of secondary school (AOR = 1.50) or higher education (AOR = 1.38). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Understanding these factors may assist nurses to identify parents most likely to administer OTCs to their children, and to ensure that parents are aware of the purpose, dosage, side effects, and overall safety of OTC medications.
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and predictors of parental administration of over-the-counter (OTC) medications to children in Spain. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed with data from the 2011 to 2012 Spanish National Health Survey among children (birth to 14 years old) of both sexes. RESULTS: Of the 5,495 children analyzed, 8.2% had received OTC drugs in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. Medicines for colds (25.5%), analgesics (30.3%), and antipyretics (22.8%) were the most commonly used drugs. Some of the predictor variables of parental administration of OTC medications included older age groups (10- to 15-year-olds, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.45), no chronic illness (AOR = 1.21), children with limitations of normal activity (AOR = 3.05), parents of middle (AOR = 1.42) and higher (AOR = 1.38) social status, and completion of secondary school (AOR = 1.50) or higher education (AOR = 1.38). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Understanding these factors may assist nurses to identify parents most likely to administer OTCs to their children, and to ensure that parents are aware of the purpose, dosage, side effects, and overall safety of OTC medications.