PARENTS SHOULD KNOW WHAT CHILDREN ARE TAKING AND WHY

Inadequate knowledge is an underlying factor in poor compliance in pediatric patientsA study of 104 outpatients at a children's hospital in Cape Town found that less than 25 % of the medicines dispensed were takencorrectly (i.e. the right pill in the right dose at the right time for the right time) . 82 of the children were Coloured, 16 Black and 6White. 23 patients had multiple diagnoses. As compliance of each patient varied with different medicines, results are reported ascompliance per medicine.

• Only 23 % of all medicines were taken within.the range of good compliance (85-1 15% of the required amount). 8 % wereover-used and 61 % under-used.

• 50 % ofprescribed topical preparations were 'used' to 'well used '. In II % ofcases the containers had not been opened.• The most commonly prescribed medications, antibacterials, had the poorest compliance rates (good in only 8.9 % ofcases).' .• The purpose for which antibacterials were given was least understood by parents. There was a positive correlation between

compliance and knowledge of the purpose of the medicine. The most well known medicine, acetaminophen (paraeetamol)was well used.

de Wet, B. and Hollingshead, J.: South African Medical Joumal58: 846 (Nov 22,1980)

0156-2703/80/1206-0005 $00.50/0 e ADIS Press INPHARMA 6 Dec 1980 5