Automedicação Em Crianças Matriculadas Em Creche Pública

Abstract

Conflito de interesses: NãoContribuição dos autores: TAML concepção e planejamento do projeto de pesquisa, delineamento do estudo, elaboração do manuscrito, redação e revisão crítica. PFS coleta e tabulação dos dados, discussão dos achados, elaboração do manuscrito. LLVP elaboração do manuscrito. MFG redação e revisão crítica. Descritores: Automedicação; Criança; Uso de medicamentos.Abstract Introduction: Self-medication is the use of medicines by the decision of the individual himself or his/her responsible regardless of a prescription and professional evaluation. Due to the lack of professional guidance, many drugs are used inappropriately causing problems, especially among children. Objective: Describe the self-medication profile among children with ages ranging from zero to five years enrolled in a public child day care center. Patients and Methods: This is an exploratory, descriptive study. We interviewed parents or legal guardians of 50 children attending a public child day care center from May to August 2015. The instrument used for collecting data was a questionnaire adapted by the study staff. It consisted of structured questions containing demographic, social, and self-medication-related data. Results: Children's mean age was 3 ± 1 year. The majority of children was two years old (28%); 52% were male. In relation to parents or legal guardians, 50% lived on an income of three minimum wages; 38% had a high school education level, and 86% were married. The practice of self-medication was reported by 72% of parents or legal guardians. Among them, 78% reported the practice due to prior medical prescription; and 40% justified the non-attendance to a health care service due to mild symptoms. Regarding the self-medication, 52% reported the use of dipyrone, followed by acetaminophen (42%), and ibuprofen (24%). Conclusion: We need educational strategies to promote the awareness of parents or legal guardians regarding self-medication problems, in order to ensure the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and the safety of children.