Mother's use of medication in their children of preschool age.

Self medication by mothers influences the morbidity and mortality in children. The present study evaluates mothers' attitude and practices regarding use of medication in their preschool age children. 976 mothers having at least one child <6 years with history of illness in past 30 days were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire. Five hundred and seventy five (58.91%) used medication on their own, most commonly for cough & cold (23.9%). The commonest nonprescribed drugs used were analgesics--antipyretics (34.9%). Inspite of the nonresponse, shortage of money and availability of the drugs without prescription has encouraged self medication. These findings necessitates mothers' education and enforcement of law against selling of non-prescribed drugs.