Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-medication (SM) is described as the usage of medication without authorization or prescription from a certified physician. SM in children is a rising concern, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. This study aims to determine the frequency of SM in children under 5 years (SMC5), practiced by their caregivers (CGs), and the factors leading to it. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: From August to September 2021, a single-centered cross-sectional survey was conducted using a standardized questionnaire administered by an interviewer. CGs provided informed consent before participating in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. RESULTS: Our study comprised 476 final participants. Approximately half (45.8%) of the children were in the age group of 1-3 years, 36.1% were under 12 months old, and 16.8% were between 3 and 5 years old. The majority of the CGs were women (96.01%). 53.99% of CGs did not have primary education indicating a very low literacy rate. A vast majority (83.1%) of CGs had drugs available at home with 42.9% of the population getting them from a pharmacy. 94.8% of the CGs had very poor knowledge regarding the correct timing, dosage, and adverse effects of the drug, resulting in irrational use of the drugs. CONCLUSION: According to this study, SMC5 is a common practice that carries significant health risks. Governments, healthcare authorities, and educational institutions can work together to address this issue.