Author : Connie R. Ecklund
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 156 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (89 download)
Book Synopsis The Influence of Attitudes, Beliefs, and Social Factors on Caregivers' Decisions on the Use of OTC Medications in Preschool Children by : Connie R. Ecklund
Download or read book The Influence of Attitudes, Beliefs, and Social Factors on Caregivers' Decisions on the Use of OTC Medications in Preschool Children written by Connie R. Ecklund and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine the extent that social factors, health beliefs, and attitudes influenced caregiver's decisions in home management with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Home management decisions were studied in relation to seeking professional care. The association of parents' decisions concerning OTC medications with social factors, as well as beliefs and attitudes related to illness, susceptibility and severity, and medication effectiveness was examined. A theoretical framework based on the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974) guided the conceptualization of this study. A convenience sample of caregivers with an index child of 3 - 5 years of age was recruited through county-based Head Start programs. Approximately 50 caregivers completed the study instrument at monthly parent counsel meetings. Data were analyzed using Pearson product- moment correlational coefficient. Significant correlations were noted between the age of the caregiver, perception of severity of the child's illness, and perception of the child's susceptibility to illness and calling the doctor for advice or intervention. There were also significant correlations between both the economic status of the household and the perceived effect of OTC medications with caregiver's report of when they would give OTC medications. No significant relationships were found between trust in doctors, barriers to seeking care, and gender of the child and either the choice of giving OTC medication or calling the doctor. It has been estimated that more than 50% of all 3 year olds have been given some type of OTC medication (Kogan, et al., 1994). Findings from this study suggest clinical counseling directions for nurses working in primary care settings.