Knowledge of mothers on the use of oral liquid dosage preparations in Jos, Nigeria: an educational intervention

Background: Liquid medicines are usually recommended for infants and younger children. However, errors are made by caregivers during dosing and administration.

Objective: To determine the effect of an educational intervention on mothers regarding the knowledge and use of oral liquid medicines.

Methods: The intervention was carried out in the Plateau State Epidemiological Unit, and involved educating mothers on the correct knowledge and handling of oral liquid medicines. Data were collected by interview and observational methods using a validated questionnaire. Paired t-test and binary logistic regression analyses were used, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The average age ± SD of the mothers was 28.8±4.6 and 5.17±6.18 months for the children. The mean knowledge score was 6.08±0.08 out of 7. A significant increase in mean knowledge level of mothers from 0.060±0.017 (pre-) to 0.830±0.027 (post-intervention), and the percentage of mothers who accurately measured the liquid preparation from 5.9% to 83.3% were observed. Mothers with adequate knowledge of liquid dosages were 4.3 times more likely to measure the unit liquid preparations accurately (p=0.016, CI: 1.31-14.13).

Conclusion: The educational intervention significantly increased the mean knowledge level of mothers about liquid medicines, and the percentage of mothers who accurately measured the paediatric liquid preparation.