Factors associated with medicine use among children aged under 12 years--a population survey in Finland.
OBJECTIVE
The goal was to determine the prevalence of medicine use and to provide population-based information on factors associated with medicine use, including prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, in children aged under 12 years.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population survey of a random sample of children aged under 12 years (n = 6000) was carried out in Finland in spring 2007, with a response rate of 67%. A questionnaire was sent to their parents. Current use of medicines prescribed by a physician and use of OTC medicines during the preceding two days were the main outcome measures.


RESULTS
The prevalence of current prescribed medicine use was 17%, and the 2-day prevalence of OTC medicine use 17% (vitamins excluded). The use of prescribed medicines was higher among children with illnesses diagnosed by a physician. Additionally, predictors for the use of prescribed medicines were young age among boys, health status worse than good, and the use of any prescribed medicines by a parent. The predictors for the use of OTC medicines by the child were young age and fairly good to poor health status, and the use of OTC medicines by a parent. However, children with any illnesses diagnosed by a physician were less likely to use OTC medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of children use prescription and OTC medicines in Finland. Young age and health-related factors, morbidity and health status, and parental medicine use predicted children's medicine use. Further studies are needed to examine the association between parents' and children's medicine use.
Hämeen-Anttila
Katri
K
Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. katri.hameen-anttila@uku.fi
Lindell-Osuagwu
Leena
L
Sepponen
Kati
K
Vainio
Kirsti
K
Halonen
Pirjo
P
Ahonen
Riitta
R
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs