Assessment of Antimalarial Drug Use for Children among Mothers Attending Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the use of antimalarial drug for children among mothers attending outpatient clinic in Bingham University Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study was carried out; information on knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to antimalarial drug use for children was obtained using an interviewer administered questionnaire. One hundred and forty four mothers had treated their children for malaria, 43 (29.9%) did not know the cause of malaria, 101 (70.1%) treated their children with ACT (Artemisinin Combination Therapy), 72 (50%) always use a particular method for prevention of malaria and 102 (70.8%) used treated net. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of malaria in children requires accessibity, affordability and correct use of antimalarial drugs by mothers in order to prevent emergence of resistant strain.