Antibiotic use: do parents act differently for their children?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Inappropriate antibiotic use is prevalent in the community.
• Previous research indicates parents are more judicious with pediatric antibiotic prescriptions.
• This study investigates parental antibiotic decision-making for self versus children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare parents' antibiotic use for themselves and their children.
• To identify factors influencing parental antibiotic choices for pediatric care.
• To understand parental perceptions regarding antibiotic efficacy and safety.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative focus groups and a quantitative telephone survey.
• 56 participants in 8 focus groups informed questionnaire development.
• 2471 adults surveyed, with 547 having consulted for children/grandchildren.

Main Results:

• Parents demonstrated greater caution with antibiotics for children compared to themselves.
• Primary drivers for pediatric antibiotic desire included fever and misconceptions about efficacy for sore throat.
• Parental attitudes and behaviors were independent of demographic factors like age, sex, education, and income.

Conclusions:

• Parents generally mirrored their own antibiotic practices for children, albeit with increased caution.
• Enhanced parental knowledge and improved attitudes are crucial for appropriate pediatric antibiotic utilization.
• Addressing misconceptions about antibiotic effectiveness is key to optimizing antibiotic stewardship in children.