title: [The use of medicines by children attending the outpatient clinic at Kafalong Hospital].
abstract: Repeated visits by some children to the outpatient department of Kalafong Hospital seem to cast doubt on the efficacy of treatment taken at home. Four hundred persons accompanying children less than 14 years of age were interviewed. Most of the children were less than 6 years old, with a mean age of 36.6 months. Three or fewer drugs were issued to more than 80% of the children and 72% of the accompanying adults in this group knew the correct dosage. However, when 4 or more items were issued, only 52% knew the correct dosage. Understanding of the required duration of therapy was inadequate. The correct administration of the prescribed drugs correlated well with a higher education of the patient escorts. People living in the urban areas were better educated and had fewer children than those from rural localities. Some recommendations are made to improve drug administration by supervising adults.
authors: Departement Pediatrie, Universiteit van Pretoria en Kalafong-hospitaal.
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Schoeman
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: van der Merwe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010290:Parents; D010349:Patient Compliance; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
vernacular_title: Gebruik van medisyne deur kinders wat die buitepasiëntkliniek, Kalafong-hospitaal, besoek het.