Parent-Reported Rate of the Use of Antibiotics in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Antibiotic resistance is growing worldwide due to the magnitude of the rational and irrational use of antibiotics, particularly in children. Evidence regarding the use of antibiotics without a prescription in Saudi children is limited, and the factors that affect frequent antibiotic use in children are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the rate of the use of antibiotics in Saudi children reported by their parents and the factors associated with parents that affect the use of antibiotics in children. Methods A cross-sectional survey using a 27-item self-administered questionnaire was conducted among parents living in Saudi Arabia. Parents with at least one child aged 16 years or less were eligible to participate in the study. The results were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 284 parents participated in the study. Of the participants, 81% (n = 230) had given their children at least one course of antibiotics, and 57% of their children were male (n = 164). Many parents did not have a regular general practitioner (GP) for providing care to their children (n = 201, 70%). Further, 164 (n = 71%) parents administered antibiotics without consulting a general practitioner. Neither the parent and child demographics nor the parent knowledge and behavioral variables were significantly associated with the parent's variable of interest in the administration of antibiotics. Conclusions Generally, parents reported alarmingly high rates of antibiotic use among their children. Reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics in children is crucial for preventing antimicrobial resistance. No apparent statistically significant factor was identified as being associated with antibiotic use. The need for additional measures to limit antibiotic use in children may be warranted. Initiatives to educate parents for consulting a regular general practitioner for their children before administering antibiotics may improve the health outcomes of children.