Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Exposure to Camphor & Eucalyptus Essential Oils and Risk of Seizure Disorder in Children: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Camphor and eucalyptus essential oils contain camphor and eucalyptol respectively which serve as active ingredients in over-the-counter drugs to manage upper respiratory tract infections and pain in children. However, because of their pro-convulsant properties, seizures constitute a documented complication of their toxicity after ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents and health personnel on the risk of onset of seizures in children exposed to pharmaceutical products containing camphor and/or eucalyptus essential oils.

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Mother and Child Centre of Chantal Biya Foundation, a reference hospital. The survey was conducted using questionnaires directed to health personnel and parents of hospitalized children under 8 years old.

Results: A total of 350 parents out of the 360 encountered were included in the study and 57 health personnel out of the 100 encountered. Parents 337 (96.3%) and health personnel 18 (31.6%) had poor knowledge on the issue. Parents 338 (96.6%) and health personnel 54 (94.75%) had very satisfactory attitude scores. Both parents 319 (91.1%) and health personnel 31 (54.4%) had harmful practices scores.

Conclusion: This study showed that both parents and health personnel had poor knowledge, very satisfactory attitudes and harmful practices towards the risk of onset of seizures in children exposed to pharmaceutical products containing camphor and/or eucalyptus essential oils.