PESSOA, C. C. M.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4687484206367470; PESSOA, Camila Caroline Morais.
Abstract:
The COVID19 pandemic brought direct and indirect effects to the child population.
Although SARSCOV2 infection manifests itself less severely among children and
adolescents, the restrictions imposed by the measures adopted to curb the
transmission of the virus had the potential to affect the health of this population. In this
context, it is important to highlight the use of medication by children, a practice
permeated by many challenges. Thus, the objective of the present study was to
investigate the use of medicines by children in the context of the COVID19 pandemic,
identifying the factors associated with their use. A quantitative crosssectional study
was carried out with data collection through structured questionnaires answered by the
research subjects through the internet (websurvey). The target audience of this
research were children aged between 012 years old, residing in Brazil, and whose
parents and/or caregivers were over 18 years old and had access to the internet. Data
collection was carried out using Google Forms, from March to July 2022, with a link
posted on social networks (Whatsapp and Instagram). There were 158 respondents
and 206 participating children, mostly male. It was observed that 74% of the
respondents reported that the child used medication in the last 30 days, the most used
being antihistamines, antiallergic and antitussives for the treatment of most diseases
and antiinflammatories, analgesics and antipyretics for the treatment of COVID19.
There was a statistically significant association between medication use and the child's
age, with a higher prevalence of use in the 03 years age group. It was reported that
the use took place with the guidance of a health professional. The use of these drugs,
which are mostly overthecounter, highlights the importance of pharmacists during the
pandemic. A minority of children (28.8%) had COVID19, and the diagnosis was more
frequent and statistically associated among those whose parents tested positive
(p<0.001). The survey data showed that in our sample the use of medication,
especially MIPs, was frequent, and regarding access to health services during the
COVID19 pandemic, there was no significant change, which can be explained by the
socioeconomic and educational profile of the participants.