ABSTRACT

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are responsible for increased morbidity and mortality rates among children. Antibiotics play an important role in the management of infections. Improper antibiotic use is a significant community health issue that contributes to antibiotic resistance. Insufficient mothers' knowledge about the cautious antibiotics use in treating infections can end in its misuse. Therefore the present study aims to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacists’ intervention on knowledge of antibiotics among mothers of children under five with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI). Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics (OPD), at Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla. The study was carried out in 115 mothers for a period of six months. The study population included Mothers of Children under 5 years of age with diagnosis of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections(LRTI) prescribed with antibiotics and who satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: A total of 115 mothers participated in the study. 39 mothers (33.92%) had good knowledge on antibiotics at baseline which increased to 89 (77.39%) after an educational intervention. Prior to intervention, only 24.34% of mothers had satisfactory attitude and 89.57% mothers had subjective practice regarding antibiotic use among children, increasing to 82.6% attitude and 100% practice after intervention. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that the health education session about appropriate antibiotic use have a major impact in improving the mothers' level of awareness, practice and changing attitude about proper use of antibiotic for their children. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Antibiotics, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Publication date: 01/05/2025

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/May/MS_IJBPAS_2025_9018.pdf

Download PDF
https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.5.9018