A study of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding administration of pediatric dosage forms and allied health literacy of caregivers for children

CONTEXT: Caregivers of sick children have to be careful with medicine dosing and giving medicines to a reluctant child can be challenging. AIM: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers regarding pediatric medicine administration and health literacy allied to this task. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was carried out on outpatient and inpatient basis in the pediatrics department of a teaching hospital over 6 months. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data regarding sociodemographic profile of patient and caregiver, idea regarding pediatric dosage forms, dosing of medicines, and medication errors during administration were recorded from 377 caregivers. Reconstitution of dry powder and measurement of 5 mL liquid medicine using measuring cup of the medicine phial was demonstrated by the caregivers. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Association assessed by point biserial correlation and Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: Majority of the primary caregivers surveyed were young, educated, homemaker mothers. Liquid medicines were used maximally (88.9%). Majority (87.3%) of the caregivers used standardized dosing instruments to measure liquids and reconstitution (85.9%), and teaspoon measurement task (91%) was performed satisfactorily by most. Some potentially wrong practices (e.g., adding medicine to milk, redilution of reconstituted medicine, and storing beyond the recommended period) were recorded. Medication errors were reported by 44.5% caregivers, significantly more in the outpatient setting. Although the statistical correlation was weak, the chance of medication error was less, and the precision of measurement was better with increasing education of the caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians need to be aware of the limitations of knowledge and the possibility of wrong administration practices among caregivers of children. Remedial measures in this regard can reduce the risk of medication errors.