Knowledge and Behavior of Mothers about Antibiotic Use in Children Under Six Years Old With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
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Date
2016-10-01
0000-0002-4732-8797 Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Brieflands
Abstract
Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. The cause of URTIs is usually viral, but parents' attitudes often contribute to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, promoting antibiotic resistance. Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the knowledge and behavior of mothers about antibiotic use in children under six years old with URTI. Methods: Ninty-seven mothers with children under six years were evaluated in a semi-kap study about antibiotic use in children under six years old with URTI. Sampling was done with the convenient method. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. Results: The mean age was 30.2 ± 7.2 years. Maternal knowledge was 8.2 ± 2.2 (scores ranged from zero to 12) and their performance was 4.1 ± 1.4 (scores ranged from zero to seven). Mothers had intermediate knowledge and performance. Knowledge was associated with mother and father's education, and mother and father's occupation (P < 0.05), but was not significantly correlated with the number of children. (P > 0.05) also, performance was associated with mother and father's education, and mother's occupation (P < 0.05) but was not significantly correlated with the father's education and number of children (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that mothers' knowledge and practice in the use of antibiotics is moderate, and lower parental education may lead to unnecessary antibiotic consumption and resistance.