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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Parents Regarding Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory
Mridula Dorairaj1, Ramya R1, Sundari S1
1Department of Pediatrics, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND.
Insights
Parental knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use for childhood respiratory infections are moderate. Education and socioeconomic factors significantly influence these outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Antibiotic misuse for childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs) fuels antimicrobial resistance, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Understanding parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Sociodemographic factors significantly impact parental KAP regarding antibiotic use in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning antibiotic use for childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs).
- To investigate the influence of sociodemographic factors on parental KAP related to antibiotic use for ARIs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 300 parents at a Pediatrics Outpatient Department in Chennai.
- Data collected via a pre-validated structured questionnaire assessing KAP domains.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and bivariate regression to examine associations between KAP and sociodemographic variables.
Main Results:
- Parents exhibited moderate KAP scores for antibiotic use (Knowledge: 3.67, Attitude: 3.48, Practice: 3.84 on a five-point scale).
- Higher parental education, lower income, urban residence, and fewer children were associated with better KAP (p < 0.05).
- A significant positive correlation (R=0.511, p<0.001) was found between knowledge and practice, indicating informed parents adopt better behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Targeted health education programs are essential to improve parental antibiotic knowledge and practices, especially for rural, less-educated, and higher-income groups.
- Promoting rational antibiotic use among parents is vital to mitigate the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
- Future research should evaluate the impact of educational interventions across diverse communities.
Background:
Antibiotic misuse for childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remains a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents regarding antibiotic use for children with ARIs and to explore the influence of sociodemographic factors on KAP outcomes.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 parents attending the Pediatrics Outpatient Department at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Data were collected using a pre-validated structured questionnaire comprising items across knowledge, attitude, and practice domains. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and KAP scores. Inferential analyses, including chi-square tests, ANOVA, and bivariate regression, were used to assess associations between KAP scores and sociodemographic variables. Reliability and factor analyses validated the internal consistency and construct validity of the questionnaire.
Results:
Mean scores indicated moderate levels of parental awareness and behavior regarding antibiotic use (Knowledge: 3.67; Attitude: 3.48; Practice: 3.84 on a five-point scale). Parental education, income, place of residence, and number of children were significantly associated with KAP scores (p < 0.05). Parents with fewer children, higher education levels, lower income, and urban residence demonstrated significantly better knowledge and practices. A strong positive correlation was observed between knowledge and practice domains (R = 0.511, p < 0.001), indicating that informed parents were more likely to adopt appropriate antibiotic use behaviors. ANOVA revealed significant differences in KAP scores across different demographic subgroups.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health education programs to improve antibiotic-related knowledge and practices, particularly in rural, less-educated, and higher-income populations. Promoting rational antibiotic use among parents may help to curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Future research should evaluate the impact of educational interventions across diverse communities.
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