TY  - BOOK
AU  -  Kandonga, Elia. Thomas
AU  - Hamasaki, Kayo 
TI  - The Use of Un Prescribed Paracetamol and Paracetamol Products Among Children in Geita District
PY  - 0000///  ©23.082016///
CY  - Mwanza, Tanzania
PB  - Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS - Bugando]
KW  -  
N2  - Abstract: 

Background: Paracetamol is the commonest available analgesic and anti-pyretic. It is readily accessed from pharmacy, patent medicine and provision shops as over the counter drug making it a potentially misused drug especially in children. Most parents give their children Paracetamol at one time or another visiting the health facilities, also Paracetamol used commonly in children with fever, despite minimal evidence of a clinical benefit. Sometime two drug which contain Paracetamol are given together this increase the risk of Paracetamol over dose to children. In children Paracetamol overdose due to deliberate self-poisoning, accidental exposure or medication errors can lead to paediatric acute liver failure and death. 

Result: 382 participants were given questionnaires and all responded to the questions provided in questionnaire. Most of respondents were female. 295 (77.49%) of all respondent and 85 (22.05%) were male. 2 (0.5%) of all participant were children who attended to the hospital without parent or care giver. Most of the parents were of the age range between (18 years and 45 years. But 8 (2%) of all parent participated were under the age of 18 years old most of the child ages ranges were (>1 months – 5 years) 232 (60%). 342 (89.5%) of all children participated in this study have been medicated prior to the hospital attendance. 300 (87.7%) of all pre medicated children were medicated with Paracetamol. Fever was the most common reason for giving Paracetamol. 70 (23.3%) of children those who were given Paracetamol were given in over dose. The use of tablet in children associated with overdose, most of those who were overdosed were given Paracetamol tablet. Cost and availability of Paracetamol tablet was the main reason for the use of tablet instead of syrup. Female are more associated with giving Paracetamol in overdose. Education and economic status are the contributing factors.

ER  -