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BMC Pediatrics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Self-medication for infants with colic in Lagos, Nigeria

Authors: Kazeem A Oshikoya, Idowu O Senbanjo, Olisamedua F Njokanma

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Infantile colic is a self-limiting condition that is distributed worldwide. It is often misdiagnosed as an organic disease for which an infant is admitted to the hospital. Many studies have described the aetiopathogenesis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of colic but none has evaluated self-medication for infants with colic. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the knowledge of Nigerian mothers about colic, their home-based management, extent of self-medication for the infants with colic and the types of medicines involved.

Methods

It is a prospective study conducted at the vaccination clinics of 20 primary health care centres, each from different Local Government Areas in Lagos, Nigeria. Eight hundred mothers that brought their infants for vaccination between April and September, 2006 were interviewed with open-and close-ended questionnaire.

Results

Six hundred and eighty three (85.4%) mothers claimed they had a good knowledge of colic. Incessant and excessive cry was the main clinical feature of colic identified by 430(62.9%) mothers. Three hundred and seventy eight (67.7%) infants were treated by self-medication, 157 (28.1%) sought medical intervention and 17 (3.1%) were treated at a traditional birth attendant home. Herbal medicines constituted 51.8% of the self-medicated medicines, of which 48 (26.2%) were "Ororo Ogiri". Nospamin® (49.5%) and Gripe water® (43.0%) were the two frequently prescribed and self-medicated medicines for infants with colic.

Conclusion

Nigerian mothers are deficient in their knowledge of colic. Self-medication was the most frequently used home-based intervention. Health education would appear necessary to improve parental management of this self-limiting condition.
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Metadata
Title
Self-medication for infants with colic in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors
Kazeem A Oshikoya
Idowu O Senbanjo
Olisamedua F Njokanma
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-9-9

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