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Factors associated with medicine use among children aged under 12 years—a population survey in Finland
Author(s) -
HämeenAnttila Katri,
LindellOsuagwu Leena,
Sepponen Kati,
Vainio Kirsti,
Halonen Pirjo,
Ahonen Riitta
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.1887
Subject(s) - medicine , medical prescription , family medicine , cross sectional study , population , alternative medicine , pediatrics , environmental health , pharmacology , pathology
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. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.