ERIC Number: EJ877671
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-8405
EISSN: N/A
Parent-Reported Medication Use in a Head Start Population
Brinkman, Tara M.; Carlson, John S.
Journal of School Nursing, v24 n5 p319-325 2008
This study investigates the prevalence of medication use within a Head Start population. Parent-reported data (N = 1,397) from initial enrollment information indicated 6.8% of children were taking 34 different types of medication. More than two thirds (69%) of those on medication were prescribed more than one medication, and more than one third (37%) were taking three or more medications. The majority of children were reported to be taking medications that were asthma (88%) or allergy (17%) related. Psychotropic medications accounted for 4% of the medications, indicating a prevalence of less than 0.3%. African American and Hispanic children were overrepresented in those taking medicines. School nurses can work with parents and caregivers of Head Start children by raising awareness of (1) the benefits and side effects of medications commonly taken within this population, (2) the significant role that asthma medications play in low-income areas, and (3) the issues and challenges associated with polypharmacy practices. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Incidence, School Nurses, Disadvantaged Youth, Diseases, Drug Therapy, Young Children, Special Health Problems, Racial Differences, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Low Income Groups, Whites, Health Insurance, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A