Abstract:

Background: Oral liquid medication is the most used dosage form for children, their efficacy and effectiveness depends on the right dosaging. This study was designed to determine the ability of mothers to measure oral liquid medications accurately, to determine the common used dosing device(s) and the effect of mothers’ education statuses and dispenser’s advices on dosing accuracy.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Nyamagana district. Convenience sample of 305 mothers of children who were 12 years old or younger were eligible and gave their verbal consent. A research administered questionnaire was used and participant was approached in their home. Demographic information was gathered and mothers were required to demonstrate how to measure 5 mL of Paracetamol (sheladol) syrup using a dosing cup and 1 mL using a dropper. The results of the survey were evaluate using SPSS software version 20.

Result: This study found that 53.4% of the participants measured and accurate of Paracetamol syrup using dosing versus 21.3% using the dropper. Dosing cup was the most used dosing device and education status plays an important role in dosing accuracy using dropper while dispenser advice have significant influence in dosing accuracy using both devices.

Conclusion: This study found that most of mothers make dosing errors with dropper and that dispenser advices have significant influence in dosing accuracy using both devices. Further study, to determine the information provided by dispensers on how to use dosing devices should be done.