Caregivers' understanding of pediatric medication in central Malawi

Abstract

Objective: To investigate caregivers' understanding of prescriptions of antibiotics and antimalarials for children in Malawi. Method: A cross-sectional study using interviews with 513 caregivers was undertaken in three different medical settings in two districts in Malawi for their understanding of medication defined as comprehension of dosage, frequency and duration immediately after receiving medicine, and its association with their sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Nearly half (49%) of the caregivers understood medication on the day of prescription. Understanding varied by type of drug. Sixty-five percent understood medication for antimalarials, LA (lumefantrine and artemether), while only 38% understood medication for amoxicillin syrup. Multivariate analysis showed that caregivers with higher education and older children had greater understanding. Conclusions: Caregivers' understanding of pediatric medication was differentially related to kinds and types of medicine as well as their education level. The instruction to caregivers on how to administer medication should be evaluated especially when they are less educated.