Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices On Antibiotic Therapy Among Parents Of Children Admitted To A Specialized Children’s Hospital In Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract:- Antibiotics are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. It is mostly prescribed for sick children globally than for adults. Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health issue. Over-prescription and inappropriate self-medication are the main culprits of antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic therapy among the parents of children getting admitted to a specialized children’s hospital in Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out with 403 participants at Sirimavo Bandaranayake Specialized Children’s Hospital, Sri Lanka from January to March, 2020. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Participants had 51.85% overall knowledge on scale. Urban parents had higher knowledge (59%) than rural parents. 67% have never heard of antibiotic resistance and 69% have never received health education on antibiotics. 25% recognized that antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. Amoxicillin was the mostly identified antibiotic. 80.9% responded that antibiotics cure viral flu. Majority (64%) strongly agreed that parents should be further educated on pediatric antibiotic use. Parents had good attitudes (78.21%) and practices (71.27%) in using antibiotics. The study concludes that Sri Lankan parents have moderate knowledge but they have achieved good attitudes and practices. Parental health education on antibiotics was critically poor. Parents believe that they should be further educated on judicious antibiotic use. Majority never selfmedicate antibiotics to children without physicians’ prescription. Physicians were the main source of information, and involvement of nurses and other healthcare professionals was low. Telecommunication minimally contributes in community health education on antibiotics.