Premium
The use of non‐prescribed medication in the first 3 months of life in rural South Africa
Author(s) -
Bland Ruth M.,
Rollins Nigel C.,
Broeck Jan Van den,
Coovadia Hoosen M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.01148.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cohort , breastfeeding , pediatrics , constipation , cohort study , family medicine , surgery
Summary Objective This paper describes the use of non‐prescribed medications given to a cohort of infants in the first 3 months of life in a rural South African district, and discusses some of the implications for primary health care. Methods As part of an ongoing study on breastfeeding, a cohort of 110 infants were visited at home at 6 and 12 weeks of age. Any medications given to the infant since the last visit, the reasons for their administration, and any visits made to traditional healers were recorded via a semi‐structured questionnaire. Determinants of administration of non‐prescribed medication were analysed, including maternal age, education, infant gender and socio‐economic factors. Results A total of 107 (97%) infants received non‐prescribed medications in the first 3 months of life: 98 (89%) rectally and 64 (58%) orally. The most common enema contained traditional Zulu medicine made from herbs, given more than once weekly, usually for perceived constipation; the most common oral medication was gripe water, given once daily, mainly for ‘colic’ or ‘wind’. Twenty‐nine (26%) mothers had consulted a traditional healer, most commonly because of concerns about a capillary naevus, thought to cause pain. Mothers with a ‘clean’ water supply were more likely to give non‐prescribed oral medications than those without (OR = 2.7 and P = 0.0223), whilst those who had no education were less likely to administer them than those who had completed school (OR = 0.19 and P = 0.0326). Conclusions Non‐prescribed medications are given almost universally to young infants in our area, irrespective of socio‐economic class. Health professionals need to be aware of the extent of, and reasons for, administration of non‐prescribed medications to young infants, so that effective health messages can be targeted at mothers and caregivers.