title: Knowledge of hazards of antibiotics self-medication by mothers for under-fives in rural community of South-west Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Nigeria, self-medication of young children is common. Children under the age of five are often self-medicated with antibiotics because of their increased susceptibility to infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess mothers' knowledge on the hazards of antibiotics self-medication in a rural community of South-west Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 mothers selected through a purposive sampling technique from Koko community in Olodo, Ibadan between October and December, 2014. Data were collected using a semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression were done at 5% level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A very high proportion (96.5%) of mothers in this study practiced antibiotic self-medication for their children. Only 28.1% were knowledgeable about the risks and side effects of antibiotic self-medication. Chi-square test revealed that there was a significant association between respondents' educational status (P < 0.05) and knowledge of the hazards. Mothers with no formal education were less likely to be knowledgeable compared to those who had tertiary education (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.02- 0.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High proportions of mothers lack adequate knowledge on the hazards of antibiotics self-medication. Mothers, particularly those with lower educational levels and young age need to be educated on the risks and side effects of this practice.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Akinlade
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Akinyemi
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Fawole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents