Comparison of access to medicines between Klang Valley and East Coast of peninsular Malaysia for children living in poor households

• Published in: Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
• Main Author: Saiful A.; Ithnin M.; Mohd Rani M.D.; Noh N.A.; Hamid N.A.; Mohamed I.N.; Al-Naggar R.; Nor Aripin K.N.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Benin 2016
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964940084&doi=10.4314%2ftjpr.v15i4.28&partnerID=40&md5=9f67d8cd10617cbc004858b8826f06e4

Purpose: To compare access to medicines in children living in poor households (income of USD1/person/day) between urbanised Klang Valley and rural East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with caregivers to determine demographics, access to medicines, knowledge, attitude and practice of parents in obtaining medicines for children. Results: There was no significant difference socio-demographically between poor households in Klang Valley (N = 58) and East Coast (N = 40). The study found that access to medicine for children (N = 325) in the households was adequate, where all households that reported illness in the children over the last 1 month and the last 6 month periods, obtained medicines and 99 % of the children were fully immunized. Qualitative analysis showed that poor households face several barriers in accessing medicines for their children such as financial, transportation, physical and attitudinal. Conclusion: Access to medicines for children living in poor households in both areas were similar and adequate. However, barriers to access remain and further studies are required. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.