Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the drug/non-drug product use status of parents for their children before admission to the hospital.

Methods: The universe and sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 91 parents who applied to the pediatric emergency service of a training and research hospital for treating their children, were admitted to the infant service and agreed to participate in the study between June and December 2017. Data were collected using Information Form created by the researchers.

Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the drug administration status of children before admission to the hospital according to age group (p<0.05). The rate of giving medication to children aged over 6 months (73.3%) before admission to the hospital was found to be higher than children aged 6 months and younger (50%). Simultaneously, a significant difference was found between the use of non-drug products according to age groups (p<0.01). The rate of giving non-drug products to children aged over 6 months (33.3%) was found to be higher than children aged 6 months and younger (8.7%).

Conclusion: The rate of drug use by families without the recommendation of a physician was high. Education is given to families on rational drug use could reduce the frequency of individual drug use.