Objective: To assess knowledge, perceptions, and practices of parents and providers identifying factors that might contribute to the unnecessary use of antibiotics in children.
Background: Antibiotic resistance can develop from overuse of antibiotics, which can occur as a result of inaccurate perceptions and practices of providers and parents.
Design/Methods: Two simultaneous surveys with a qualitative component were conducted by personal interviews. Pediatric medical care providers at a university based clinic and parent/guardian of every fifth child aged less than five years were asked to participate.
Results: In the parent survey [53/66: 80.3% response rate], 58% of parents provided the correct antibiotic name and its indications. 70% never asked for antibiotics from their provider. Of the 30% who did ask, 83.3% received it at least 25% of the time. Only 58.5% of parents received some explanation for refusal of antibiotics. Of the 58.5%, only 45% were told that a viral infection does not require antibiotics. In the provider survey [39/46: 85% response rate], 64.1% dispensed antibiotics empirically while only 7.7% based their decision on diagnostic tests. 82.1% of providers always explained before prescribing antibiotics. 35.9% admitted to prescribing antibiotics over the phone without examining the patient. Although 94.9% denied giving antibiotics based on parental demand, 10.8% were unsure and 48.7% agreed to prescribe antibiotics for infections that appeared viral in nature.
Conclusions: Inappropriate antibiotic use can result from misperceptions in what physicians think parents want and what parents say they expect. Better communications could reduce such misperceptions.
Learning Objectives: Identify and Prioritize better communication between providers and parents as means to reduce the amount of misuse of antibiotics in children.
Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Child Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.