Utilization of non-prescribed medications and associated factors for treating upper respiratory tract infection among children attending Services Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background Utilization of non-prescribed medications remains high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. It contributes to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to identify the utilization of nonprescribed medication and its predictors to treat upper respiratory tract infections among children attending services in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods A facility-based mixed study design was employed among 406 participants. A systematic random and purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. Data were collected using Kobo data collection tools and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables, figures, and text. Additionally, five participants were interviewed using an in-depth interview guideline. The multivariable regression analysis was computed to identify the outcome variable. Variables with p-values < 0.25, while p-values < 0.05 were used to assess the strength of the association and statistical significance. In the qualitative study, thematic content analysis was used to examine the data, enhancing the quantitative findings. In the qualitative study, the opinions of mothers, the reasons behind non-prescribed medication use in children, and their perceptions were the primary themes that supplemented the results of the quantitative study. Result Utilization of non-prescribed medication used for treating upper respiratory infections in children was 12.6%, with a 95% CI (9.5, 16.2). Urban residency (AOR=2.4, CI 1.04-5.52), maternal age between 31 and 40 years (AOR=4.2, CI 2.44-7.19), maternal education level at primary school (AOR=3.1, CI 1.09-8.72), and children with chronic diseases (AOR=0.33, CI 0.14-0.78) were statistically significant factors. The qualitative study results supported the quantitative results. Conclusion The utilization of non-prescribed medication use in children remains a concerning issue. Participants’ residency, age, educational status, and children with chronic diseases were significantly associated with the utilization of non-prescribed medications. We author recommend that health professionals and other stakeholders should empower mothers to avoid the utilization of non-prescribed medication to treat their child.