Antibiotic therapy in children – Knowledge and behavior of parents

Background
Both doctors overusing antibiotics and patients not adhering to the rational antibiotic therapy principles contribute to the problem of growing bacterial resistance.

Aim
Verification of knowledge and behavior of parents in the antibiotic therapy in children.

Material and methods
A questionnaire for parents of children from 2 months to 18 years conducted in nurseries, preschools and schools and completed on-line.

Results
The analysis included 634 questionnaires (138 on-line). The 33.6% of respondents did not know the indications for antibiotic use. The 32% of respondents could not define the most common source of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Most parents declared high level of trust in doctors (67%) and 32% of respondents verify doctor's decision on the Internet. Most parents adhere to doctors’ orders, but 9.7% of parents reported ceasing child's antibiotic therapy due to an early symptoms relief. The 14.3% of respondents at least once demanded application of antibiotic therapy for a child with a desired effect achieved in 77.8%. The 14% of respondents confirmed storing unused antibiotics at home and 4.6% of parents applied antibiotics without consulting a doctor.

Conclusions
Parents either do not know or insufficiently understand the purpose of the use of antibiotics in the treatment of children's URTI. Parents trust in a doctor's decision concerning antibiotic therapy, but frequently consult the Internet. Doctors give in to parents’ demands and prescribe antibiotics. Not respecting recommendations and antibiotics “self-treatment” are reprehensible. There is a need of educating parents and doctors in the reasonable use of antibiotics.