Self-medication for infants with colic in Lagos, Nigeria
2009

Self-medication for Infants with Colic in Lagos, Nigeria

Sample size: 800 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Oshikoya Kazeem A, Senbanjo Idowu O, Njokanma Olisamedua F

Primary Institution: Lagos State University College of Medicine

Hypothesis

What is the knowledge of Nigerian mothers about colic and their home-based management practices?

Conclusion

Nigerian mothers are deficient in their knowledge of colic, and self-medication was the most frequently used home-based intervention.

Supporting Evidence

  • 85.4% of mothers claimed they had a good knowledge of colic.
  • 67.7% of infants were treated by self-medication.
  • 51.8% of self-medicated medicines were herbal.

Takeaway

Moms in Nigeria often treat their babies' colic at home without knowing much about it, and they use a lot of herbal medicines.

Methodology

A prospective study conducted at vaccination clinics of 20 primary health care centres, interviewing 800 mothers with structured questionnaires.

Limitations

The findings may not represent the general population since only mothers attending vaccination clinics were studied.

Participant Demographics

Mothers aged 15 to 40 years, with varying education levels from illiteracy to university education; infants aged 1 day to 12 months.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2431-9-9

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