PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES (KAPs) ON THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN CHILDREN FOR UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS (URTIs)

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of parents on the use of antibiotics among children for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2014 at kindergartens around Kuala Lumpur. Data were collected using questionnaires which were distributed to parents with children aged ≤ 6 y.Results: A total of 169 parents participated in this study. Parental knowledge on the use of antibiotics in children for URTI was poor with a mean score of 1.99+1.27 (total score = 5). The overall attitude was positive with a mean score of 23.01+6.17 (total score = 60). Gender, educational level, personal and household monthly incomes were significantly associated with both knowledge and attitudes (a total score of p<0.05). A moderate, significant negative correlation was found between knowledge score and attitude score (rs =-0.498, p<0.001).Conclusion: This study provides an insight towards parental KAPs on the use of antibiotics among children for URTIs. Improving parental KAPs may reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics among children.

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Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] ◽

10.18295/squmj.2021.21.02.019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. e289-296

Author(s):

Asma S Al Hashmi ◽

Abir S Al Shuhumi ◽

Rahma M Al Kindi

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Objectives: This study aimed to assess parental knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use for children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to April 2019 at 15 randomly selected primary health centres in Muscat, Oman. A total of 384 parents with children under 12 years old were recruited. A validated questionnaire was utilised to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use for children with URTIs. Results: All 384 parents participated in the study (response rate: 100%). Almost half of the participants (n = 173; 45.1%) agreed that antibiotics were the first and best treatment for URTIs in children, with 184 parents (47.9%) reporting that influenza symptoms in children improved more rapidly after the administration of antibiotics and 203 (52.9%) believing that antibiotics prevented complications. The majority (n = 219; 57.0%) of parents never gave their children antibiotics without a prescription, and 291 (75.8%) never used leftover antibiotics. Most participants (n = 233; 60.7%) stated that it was the doctor’s decision to prescribe antibiotics, 192 (50.0%) had never asked a physician to prescribe antibiotics for their child and 256 (66.7%) had never changed doctors because they did not prescribe antibiotics. Conclusion: This study found that parents had confidence in their healthcare providers; however, it also showed the extent of their lack of knowledge regarding the use of antibiotics for children with URTIs. There is a need for both public- and healthcare professional-oriented educational initiatives to promote rational antibiotic usage in Oman. Keywords: Practice, Attitudes and Health Knowledge; Antibiotics; Drug Utilization; Parents; Children; Upper Respiratory Tract Infections; Oman.

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