The Prevalence of Medication use in a Head Start Preschool Sample

Abstract

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This descriptive study examined the prevalence of pharmacological and psychopharmacological medication use in a Head Start preschool sample, as well as trends in medication use based on gender, ethnicity, and behavioral characteristics. The participants for this study included 1,544 parents of children ages 2 to 5 years old enrolled in a Head Start program during the 2008-2009 academic year in three diverse Michigan counties. Fifteen percent of children in this sample (n =233) were taking medication on a regular basis according to parent report. Pharmacological treatments accounted for 98.2% (n =306) of the medications in the sample. Sixty-nine percent (n =214) of medications reported were asthma related, significantly less than was reported in this population of children just two years ago. The importance of educating parents about the lack of a research base and potential side effects of common medications given to preschool children is discussed.