Unsafe storage of household medicines: results from a cross-sectional study of four-year-olds from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort (Brazil)

Abstract

Background Unintentional child poisoning represents a significant public health problem across the globe, placing a substantial burden on health services emergency departments. Around the world, every year, thousands of children die as a result of physical injuries, most of which involve children under 5 years old. Medicines are the main products involved in poisoning, and children under 5 years old are the most vulnerable age group. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of unsafe storage of medicines in households with a 4-year-old child. Methods We used data from the follow-up of 4-year-old in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study in Brazil ( N = 3799). “Unsafe storage” was considered present when medicines were stored unlocked and within reach of children (at a height below the eye level of the average adult). Independent variables included maternal and family socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and the child’s health care. All information was collected during household interviews with the mothers using a standardized questionnaire. The overall prevalence rate with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and the prevalence associated with various independent variables were determined. Results The storage of medicines in unlocked areas was reported by 80.9% of the mothers, and, within reach of children for 26.5%. The overall prevalence rate of unsafe storage of medicines was 21.4% (20.1–22.7%). The main storage locations used were the kitchen (57.0%) and bedroom (53.3%). Conclusions The results indicate that medicines were unsafely stored in a 21.4% number of homes, which can contribute to the vulnerability of children to poisoning from medicines. To minimize this risk, education about the safe storage of medicines should be reinforced by health professionals.

Role of Primary Caregivers Regarding Unintentional Injury Prevention Among Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Low- and Middle-Income Country

“…According to a Turkish study, 80 percent of the sample population kept medications and poisons out of children's reach [20]. However, a Brazilian study indicated that almost 21 percent of the study sample did not keep medicines and poisonous substances in a secure area away from children [28]. To prevent this detrimental behavior and minimize child poisoning mortality, enhanced parental awareness about the risk of poisoning is critical, as is regulating child-resistant packaging of medications and toxic chemicals, which can significantly reduce the risk of inadvertent poisoning.…”

“…Medicines, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), are the most common types of products implicated in unintentional poisoning, with children under five being the most vulnerable [28]. A study of secondary data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (2000 to 2009) found that an increase in the use of anti-diabetic medicines, anti-hypercholesterolemia drugs, antihypertensive, and pain relievers was associated with an increase in cases of unintentional child poisoning, leading to higher hospital admissions [29].…”

Exploring Household medicine waste in Iraq

“…(Jafarzadeh et al 2021) Unfortunately, the vast majority of kids who are poisoned by medicines gain access to the medications at home. (Franklin and Rodgers 2008;Alruwaili et al 2019;Santos et al 2019) For instance, the "Food and Drug Administration" (FDA) has reported death cases, in children, as a result of accidental exposure to unused medicine. (FDA 2021) In Iraq, there is widespread self-medication; including the abuse of the recent generations of antibiotics as, most of the medicines, including the Prescription Only Medicines (POM), can be bought from the community pharmacies without a legitimate prescription.…”

Children and Parents’ Awareness Regarding Potential Hazards Derived from the Use of Chemical Products in Greece

“…In particular, cadmium exposure may be followed by hearing loss risk and DNA methylations in preschool children [ 33 ]. Likewise, the unsafe storage of household medicines leading to unintentional child poisoning represents a significant public health problem [ 34 ].…”