A cross-sectional study on knowledge and behavior regarding medication usage among guardians of left-behind children: Evidence from China

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and behavior of medication use among guardians of left-behind children (LBC) and compare it with the guardians of non-left-behind children (NLBC). Methods: : A cross-sectional study was carried out in Chengdu, the center city of southwestern China from May 2020 to August 2020. A logistic regression model was conducted to assess medication-related knowledge and behavior of guardians between the LBC group and the NLBC group, adjusted for confounders. Stratified analysis was further performed. Results: : The overall mean scores for knowledge and for behavior were 20.22 (standard deviation = 4.472) and 15.77 (standard deviation = 3.604), respectively. No significant difference was found in medication-related knowledge and behavior scores between LBC and NLBC guardians ( P > 0.05) after adjusting for important confounders. A significant difference was only observed after adjusting for past medical history and history of present illness. Conclusions: : There was no significant difference in medication usage awareness and behavior between guardians of LBC and NLBC in this study, frequent contact with the doctor was an effective method of health education that could possibly improve their health literacy.