Parent-related factors influencing antibiotic use in a paediatric population: A qualitative study in Spain

To explore the parent-related factors underlying antibiotic misuse/overuse and their implication in the development of resistance in the paediatric population.

Qualitative study using the focus group (FG) method in Galicia (Spain). FG sessions were conducted with the parents, 27 mothers and three fathers, of children under 12 years old. A discussion topic guide was developed to lead the sessions, which were then transcribed by the researcher and independently interpreted by two researchers working separately. The grounded theory approach was used.

Five FG sessions were conducted. The principal factor detected among parents was fear, associated with the perception of poor parent-paediatrician communication. This factor was related to the following behaviours: (a) pressure on physicians; (b) lack of adherence to treatment; and (c) search for other ways of accessing antibiotics. No group highlighted antibiotic resistance as posing a real problem. All groups considered certain external agents to be responsible for such resistance. Four groups also acknowledged that patient behaviour can influence antibiotic resistance.

Our study points to poor communication between the healthcare system and the population. Identifying the factors underlying the problem enables more efficient, tailor-made interventions to be designed for the purpose of improving antibiotic use and resistance.