Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of parents on the use of antibiotics among children for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2014 at kindergartens around Kuala Lumpur. Data were collected using questionnaires which were distributed to parents with children aged ≤ 6 y.Results: A total of 169 parents participated in this study. Parental knowledge on the use of antibiotics in children for URTI was poor with a mean score of 1.99+1.27 (total score = 5). The overall attitude was positive with a mean score of 23.01+6.17 (total score = 60). Gender, educational level, personal and household monthly incomes were significantly associated with both knowledge and attitudes (a total score of p<0.05). A moderate, significant negative correlation was found between knowledge score and attitude score (rs =-0.498, p<0.001).Conclusion: This study provides an insight towards parental KAPs on the use of antibiotics among children for URTIs. Improving parental KAPs may reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics among children.
Highlights
Children are more prone to get upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) compared to adults due to their immature immune response against viruses
There are limited studies reported in Malaysia on parental knowledge, attitudes and practices KAPs regarding the use of antibiotics in children for URTIs [8]
The present study found that parents had an overall positive attitude on the use of antibiotics in children with URTIs
Summary
Children are more prone to get upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) compared to adults due to their immature immune response against viruses. As respiratory tract infections in children are self-limiting with very minimal risk of complications, their management typically involves self-care and symptomatic treatments [3]. One of the reasons most doctors prescribed antibiotics for viral URTIs in children is to fulfill parents’ expectations for such treatment [7]. There are limited studies reported in Malaysia on parental knowledge, attitudes and practices KAPs regarding the use of antibiotics in children for URTIs [8]. Sociodemographic factors that may influence the KAPs on the use of antibiotics in children were investigated as the main objective of the research
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