ArticlePloS one2013
Children's medicines in Tanzania: a national survey of administration practices and preferences.
Article in PloS one, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Poor-tasting pediatric medicines: Part 1. A scoping review of their impact on patient acceptability, medication adherence, and treatment outcomes.Frontiers in drug delivery · 2025Pooled it
- Methodology Used to Assess Acceptability of Oral Pediatric Medicines: A Systematic Literature Search and Narrative Review.Paediatric drugs · 2017Pooled it
- Trial
- Challenges of Antibiotic Formulations and Administration in the Treatment of Bloodstream Infections in Children Under Five Admitted to Kisantu Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2023Article
- Quality of measuring devices enclosed with paediatric oral liquid dosage forms of medicines registered in Sri Lanka.PloS one · 2023Article
- Safety of integrated preventive chemotherapy for neglected tropical diseases.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2022Review
- Article
- Administration of oral dosage forms of medicines to children in a resource limited setting.PloS one · 2022Article
- Development and content validation of the Pediatric Oral Medicines Acceptability Questionnaires (P-OMAQ): patient-reported and caregiver-reported outcome measures.Journal of patient-reported outcomes · 2020Article
- The difficulties experienced during the preparation and administration of oral drugs by parents at home: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.BMC pediatrics · 2020Article
- Liquid Drug Dosage Measurement Errors with Different Dosing Devices.Indian journal of pediatrics · 2019Observational
- Tablet/Capsule Size Variation Among the Most Commonly Prescribed Medications for Children in the USA: Retrospective Review and Firsthand Pharmacy Audit.Paediatric drugs · 2016Article
- Explaining the slow transition of child-appropriate dosage formulations from the global to national level in the context of Uganda: a qualitative study.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2015Article
- The "child size medicines" concept: policy provisions in Uganda.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2015Article
- A study of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding administration of pediatric dosage forms and allied health literacy of caregivers for children.Journal of family medicine and primary careArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe dearth of age-appropriate formulations of many medicines for children poses a major challenge to pediatric therapeutic practice, adherence, and health care delivery worldwide. We provide information on current administration practices of pediatric medicines and describe key stakeholder preferences for new formulation characteristics. PATIENTS AND
methodsWe surveyed children aged 6-12 years, parents/caregivers over age 18 with children under age 12, and healthcare workers in 10 regions of Tanzania to determine current pediatric medicine prescription and administration practices as well as preferences for new formulations. Analyses were stratified by setting, pediatric age group, parent/caregiver education, and healthcare worker cadre.
resultsComplete data were available for 206 children, 202 parents/caregivers, and 202 healthcare workers. Swallowing oral solid dosage forms whole or crushing/dissolving them and mixing with water were the two most frequently reported methods of administration. Children frequently reported disliking medication taste, and many had vomited doses. Healthcare workers reported medicine availability most significantly influences prescribing practices. Most parents/caregivers and children prefer sweet-tasting medicine. Parents/caregivers and healthcare workers prefer oral liquid dosage forms for young children, and had similar thresholds for the maximum number of oral solid dosage forms children at different ages can take.
conclusionsThere are many impediments to acceptable and accurate administration of medicines to children. Current practices are associated with poor tolerability and the potential for under- or over-dosing. Children, parents/caregivers, and healthcare workers in Tanzania have clear preferences for tastes and formulations, which should inform the development, manufacturing, and marketing of pediatric medications for resource-limited settings.
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