Authors: Mohammad Barnawi 1, *, Salah Eldin Abdel Hag Abdel Haleem 2, 3, Afaf S. Alzahrani 4, Haya A. Alzahrani 4, Maali A. Alghamdi 4, Sahar A. Alghamdi 4, Raghad M. Alzahrani 4, Raghad S. Alghamdi 4, Khalid A. Alzahrani 1
Affiliations:
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
3Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bahri, Khartoum, Sudan
4Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
Incorrect use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications in children can result in harmful outcomes. This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and practices regarding OTC medication use in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and August 2024 using a validated, self-administered questionnaire distributed via social media. Adults aged 18 years and above residing in the Al-Baha region who consented to participate were included. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with knowledge and practice levels classified based on predefined cutoff scores. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and knowledge or practice levels, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 791 participants were included, the majority being female (63.2%) and university graduates (74.7%). While 68.9% demonstrated good knowledge, 88.6% showed poor practice. Higher education was significantly associated with better practice (p = 0.03), and gender was significantly associated with knowledge levels (p = 0.03). Fever was the most commonly identified indication for OTC medication use (81.5%), yet only 15.4% correctly identified the appropriate paracetamol dosage. Healthcare providers were the primary source of drug information for 74.3% of participants. The findings highlight a clear gap between knowledge and practice, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions. Community-based education, standardized counseling protocols, culturally appropriate materials, digital tools, and online peer support platforms may enhance the safe use of OTC medications. Continuous feedback on educational resources is essential to ensure alignment with current evidence-based guidelines.
Parental knowledge, OTC medication, Pediatric safety, Healthcare education, Community health
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.07.012
Barnawi, M., Haleem, S. E. A. H. A., Alzahrani, A. S., Alzahrani, H. A., Alghamdi, M. A., Alghamdi, S. A., Alzahrani, R. M., Alghamdi, R. S., & Alzahrani, K. A. (2025). Towards safe and effective use of OTC medications for children: Community insights from parents in Al-Baha. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(7), 126–133. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.07.012