TITLE:
Investigation of Parents’ Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding the Administration of Non-Prescription Medication to School-Aged Children in the Community
AUTHORS:
Kouleli Kalliopi, Konstanti Zoe
KEYWORDS:
Self-Medication, Non-Prescription Drugs, School Children
JOURNAL NAME:
Voice of the Publisher,
Vol.11 No.3,
September
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: In recent decades, we have been confronted with the major public health issue: the dispensing of over-the-counter medicines by parents to school-age children. It is a common practice, fraught with risks to children such as incorrect dosages or interactions with other medications, which can lead to significant health problems for children. The present study explores parents’ knowledge and perceptions of over-the-counter medication for school-age children in the community. Aim of this study is to explore the factors that influence parents’ decisions to medicate their children without professional advice and to assess the role of education and digital health information in these practices. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 respondents participated in this study, primarily women aged 40 to 50 years with higher education and full-time employment. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that assessed participants’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding the administration of non-prescription medications to their children. Results: The findings revealed that a significant number of parents sometimes medicate their children without professional advice, especially for minor health problems and when access to medical services is limited. There is a positive correlation between higher educational levels and the likelihood of administering medication based on previous prescriptions from doctors as well as with the administration of medication in general. Additionally, it was found that parents frequently search for health information online, which significantly influences their self-medication practices. Conclusions: Despite recognizing the risks associated with, such as misdiagnosis and inappropriate use of medication, parents continue this practice out of convenience and necessity. The study highlights the need for targeted educational programs, reliable digital health resources, and improved access to healthcare to mitigate the risks of self-medication.