Table 2 Description of the practices of parental self-medication with antibiotics (PSMA)

Medication

Mean

SD

Frequency in the past 6 months, times

1.44

0.63

Duration, days

3.46

1.12

Reasons (Multi-choice)

N

%

Same ailments with no need to see a doctor

16

39.02

Enough previous medication experience

33

80.49

Long waiting time in the clinics

4

9.76

Convenience

1

2.44

Expensive consultation fees

1

2.44

Symptoms (Multi-choice)

N

%

Cold (Runny nose or nasal congestion)

7

17.07

Cough

24

58.54

Fever

25

60.98

Sore throat

14

34.15

Bronchitis

18

43.90

Body ache

3

7.32

Headache

3

7.32

Emesis

0

0.00

Diarrhea

2

4.88

Otitis media

4

9.76

Skin trauma

0

0.00

Sources of antibiotic information (Multi-choice)

N

%

Previous medication experience

33

80.49

Suggestions from relatives and friends

9

21.95

Recommendations of pharmacy staffs

8

19.51

Internet knowledge

2

4.88

Drug instruction

5

12.20

Approaches (Multi-choice)

N

%

Leftover of previous antibiotics

11

26.83

Purchasing antibiotics at pharmacies

38

92.08

Given by others

1

2.44