A Review of Medications Taken by Children before Presenting to a Tertiary Institution, in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Quite a significant number of patients take different medications before presenting to the hospital. Some of these medications are self-prescribed while a few were prescribed by a doctor. Self- medication is not devoid of significant risks. There is need to review these medications in our centres.

Aim and Objectives: To review the pre-presentation medications taken by patients presenting to our children emergency room, determine the prevalence of self-medication, document the types of medication taken and attempt to determine any effect on outcome.

Material and Methods: One hundred and ninety eight (198) children, aged twenty nine (29) days to fourteen years that presented to our children emergency room were consecutively enrolled into the study. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain the necessary information from the children’s caregivers while clerking the patients at presentation.

Results: 183(92.4%) patients received pre-presentation medications, out of which 101(55.2%) were boys and 82(44.8%) were girls. 123(67.2%) patients took self-prescribed drugs, while 60(32.8%) got their prescription from a doctor. Herbal concoctions were taken by 48(26.2%) patients. Out of the 20 deaths recorded, 9 (45.0%) patients took herbal concoction, while 11 (55.0%) did not. There was significant association between herbal concoctions and mortality (P=0.013).

Conclusion: Pre-presentation medication is common in our environment, mostly self-prescribed, with herbal concoctions contributing significantly. Government intervention by policy making and public health education is highly critical.