Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers towards Household Child Toxicity and Unused Medications: Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Childhood poisoning is mainly unintentional and may occur due to either pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical agents. Improper disposal of unused medication plays a role in the rise of child toxicity. The study aimed to improve mother’s knowledge, attitude and practice toward household toxicities and unused medications and how they dealt with them, which can prevent or reduce childhood mortalities and morbidities. Objectives: To assess mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice toward most household toxicities and dealing with unused medication. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of mothers attending the pediatrics clinic, emergency department, or inpatient department of the Suez Canal University teaching hospital. The study was conducted from July 2022 to September 2022. The questionnaire included socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding household child toxicity and unused or expired medications.Results: One hundred and fifty-seven participants were enrolled in the study. The mean participant age was 33.6 ± 8.5 years, 45% were housewives, and 71% of participants were highly educated. Nearly a quarter of mothers stated that their children were intoxicated. Detergents and caustics were the toxic agents causing about 47% of cases. Fifty-one percent of participants had moderate knowledge, 97.5% had a positive attitude, and 36.3% had poor practice. More than half of the participants have not received any information about the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. Conclusion: Most of the mothers in this study had a positive attitude toward dealing with childhood toxicity. There was a shortage of adequate information on safe medication disposal practices.