Knowledge of hazards of antibiotics self-medication by mothers for under-fives in rural community of South-west Nigeria.

Background: In Nigeria, self-medication of young children is common. Children under the age of five are often self-medicated with antibiotics because of their increased susceptibility to infections.

Objectives: To assess mothers' knowledge on the hazards of antibiotics self-medication in a rural community of South-west Nigeria.

Methodology: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 mothers selected through a purposive sampling technique from Koko community in Olodo, Ibadan between October and December, 2014. Data were collected using a semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression were done at 5% level of significance.

Results: A very high proportion (96.5%) of mothers in this study practiced antibiotic self-medication for their children. Only 28.1% were knowledgeable about the risks and side effects of antibiotic self-medication. Chi-square test revealed that there was a significant association between respondents' educational status (P < 0.05) and knowledge of the hazards. Mothers with no formal education were less likely to be knowledgeable compared to those who had tertiary education (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.02- 0.57).

Conclusion: High proportions of mothers lack adequate knowledge on the hazards of antibiotics self-medication. Mothers, particularly those with lower educational levels and young age need to be educated on the risks and side effects of this practice.