PARENTAL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT URTI AETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT ARE COMMON
Most children have about 4 to 6 acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) each year. The majority of acute URTIs is caused by viruses and usually self-limiting. Improper use of antibiotic is associated with bacterial resistance and waste of health care resources. The inappropriate use could...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia
2007-01-01
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| Series: | Malaysian Family Physician |
| Online Access: | http://www.e-mfp.org/2007v2n1/pdf/abstracts_1_2.pdf |
| Summary: | Most children have about 4 to 6 acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) each year. The majority of acute URTIs is caused by viruses and usually self-limiting. Improper use of antibiotic is associated with bacterial resistance and waste of health care resources. The inappropriate use could be partly due to mistaken belief of parents therefore their knowledge, attitudes and antibiotic use for acute URTIs in children are the main concern of this study.This cross-sectional study involved 421 parents, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, at Batu 9 Health Clinic of Hulu Langat district. Malay parents formed over half of the respondents followed by Chinese and Indian with mean age over 33 years old. Approximately 59% of parents believed that weather was the main cause of acute URTIs of their children, 13% thought it was due to food and only about 27% by germ. The majority of parents (68-76%) believed that antibiotic was helpful in treating common cold, cough and fever. Twenty-nine percent of parents who thought that their child needed an antibiotic were not prescribed with any. On the other hand, 17% believed that an antibiotic was unnecessary when prescribed. Twenty-eight percent requested for an antibiotic and majority received what they asked for. About 31% of parents did not request any antibiotics but private general practitioners habitually prescribed them. The antibiotic compliance was poor with only 74% completing the entire course; 85% stopped once they improved symptomatically. Fifteen percent of parents gave a “left over” antibiotic; 24% gave a “shared” antibiotic, and 5.5% bought antibiotics without consultation. This study illustrated that parents generally have misconception and inappropriate use of antibiotics. This could be caused by lack of proper explanation and education. Besides this, past experience, traditional cultural and food belief also play a part here. Consequently, effective educational interventions ought to be given to parents such as clinic-based patient education, mass media and public relations campaign. Strict enforcement of over-the-counter sale is important and clinical practice guidelines should be established to help diminish unnecessary antibiotic prescription and antimicrobial resistance in the community. |
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| ISSN: | 1985-207X 1985-2274 |