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Descriptive study on parents' knowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotic use and misuse in children with upper

Andreas Rousounidis1, Vassiliki Papaevangelou, Adamos Hadjipanayis

  • 1Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakyriazi street, Larissa 41222, Greece. rousounides@cytanet.com.cy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic misuse in children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is a concern. Low parental education was linked to misuse, though parents generally trust pediatricians, highlighting differing views on prescription pressures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are frequently treated with antibiotics in children, contributing to antibiotic resistance.
  • Understanding parental and pediatrician knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use for URTIs is crucial for combating resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the KAP of parents and pediatricians in Cyprus concerning antibiotic use in children with URTIs.
  • To identify demographic factors associated with antibiotic misuse in pediatric URTIs.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey conducted in Cyprus in 2006.
  • School-based stratified geographic cluster sampling for parents (N=1,462) and separate questionnaires for pediatricians (N=33).
  • Backward logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for antibiotic misuse.

Main Results:

  • Parents generally follow pediatrician advice and rarely use over-the-counter antibiotics.
  • Low parental education was a significant risk factor for antibiotic misuse (OR=2.88).
  • Pediatricians reported parental requests for antibiotics, differing from parents' denial of pressuring doctors.

Conclusions:

  • Cypriot parents demonstrate trust in their primary care providers regarding URTI treatment.
  • While parental pressure may not be the primary driver of antibiotic misuse, pediatrician perceptions suggest otherwise.
  • Addressing low parental education is key to reducing antibiotic misuse for pediatric URTIs.

Keywords:
KAP studyantibiotic misuseantibiotic overuseantibioticsattitudesbacterial resistanceknowledgeparentspracticesquestionnaire

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