Clinical Aspects on Antibiotic Resistance: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract BackgroundUpper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. Most URTIs have been shown to be of viral origin. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance. The problem of unnecessary antibiotic use among children is a concern for antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income developing countries.MethodsOur study is a cross-sectional survey study. It was carried out between 14 December 2020 and 1 April 2021 for parents over 18 years of age with a child under 18 years’ old who applied to the general pediatrics outpatient clinics of Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Department of Pediatrics.Results554 parents responded to the questionnaire. A total of 15.7% of parents stated to use antibiotics in any child with fever. 37% of parents believed that antibiotics could cure infections caused by viruses. 6.3% of parents declared that they put pressure on pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics. 85.6% of the parents stated that they never gave their children non-prescription antibiotics when they had a high fever. 80.9% of them declared that they never used past antibiotics in the presence of a new infection. Female gender, high level of education, high income level and low number of antibiotics used in the last 1 year were found to be statistically significant with the better knowledge level of the parents (p <0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results of our study of parents' lack of knowledge about antibiotics in Turkey, though generally it shows proper attitude and behavior. It shows that some of the restrictions imposed by the National Action Plan are partially working. However, it is still necessary to continue to inform parents, pediatricians and pharmacists about the use of antibiotics, and to be more sensitive about the prescribing of antibiotics, and if necessary, sanctions should be imposed by the state in order to prevent unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

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Evaluation of parental knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections in children under 18 years of age: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-03020-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aslınur Albayrak ◽

Nazmi Mutlu Karakaş ◽

Bensu Karahalil

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Background Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. Antibiotics still continue to be prescribed although most URTIs are of viral origin. This is inappropriate use and this unnecessary administration contributes or may cause antibiotic resistance. The problem of unnecessary antibiotic use among children is a concern for antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of parents of children with upper respiratory tract infections regarding antibiotic use and their antibiotic administration practices in a tertiary care hospital in Turkey. Methods Our study is a cross-sectional survey study. It was carried out between 14 December 2020 and 1 April 2021 for parents over 18 years of age with a child under 18 years’ old who applied to the general pediatrics outpatient clinics of Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Department of Pediatrics. Results Five hundred fifty-four parents responded to the questionnaire (93.2% rate of response). A total of 15.7% of parents stated to use antibiotics in any child with fever. 37% of parents believed that antibiotics could cure infections caused by viruses. 6.3% of parents declared that they put pressure on pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics. While 28% of the parents who thought that the use of inappropriate antibiotics would not change the effect and resistance of the treatment, 41% thought that new antibiotics could be developed continuously. 85.6% of the parents stated that they never gave their children non-prescription antibiotics when they had a high fever. 80.9% of them declared that they never used past antibiotics in the presence of a new infection. Conclusion According to the results of our study of parents’ lack of knowledge about antibiotics in Turkey, though generally it shows proper attitude and practices. It shows that some of the restrictions imposed by the National Action Plan are partially working. However, it is still necessary to continue to inform parents, pediatricians and pharmacists about the use of antibiotics, and to be more sensitive about the prescribing of antibiotics, and if necessary, sanctions should be imposed by the state in order to prevent unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

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A framework for the non-antibiotic management of upper respiratory tract infections: towards a global change in antibiotic resistance

International Journal of Clinical Practice ◽

10.1111/ijcp.12335 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 67 ◽

pp. 4-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

S. Essack ◽

A. C. Pignatari

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Global Change ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Antibiotic Management ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

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Risk Factors of Antibiotic Misuse for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Results from a Cross-Sectional Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Study in Greece

ISRN Pediatrics ◽

10.5402/2012/685302 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sotiria G. Panagakou ◽

Vassiliki Papaevangelou ◽

Adamos Chadjipanayis ◽

George A. Syrogiannopoulos ◽

Maria Theodoridou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Low Income ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Background. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. The cause of URTIs is usually viral, but parents’ attitudes often contribute to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, promoting antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to identify possible risk factors associated with antibiotic misuse in Greece, a country with high levels of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Methods. A knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) questionnaire was developed and distributed to Greek parents caring for children who were 5-6 years old, between January and July of the same school year. Results. The sample of the study contained 5312 parents from all geographic areas of Greece. The risk factors of being a father, having low education, having immigrant status, being a single parent, having low income, having <2 or >3 children, living in the islands, and being without experience in recurrent URTIs were significantly associated to inadequate knowledge, inappropriate attitudes, and wrong practices. Conclusions. This study has identified the main groups of parents that should be targeted in future intervention programs.

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