Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Attitudes of the Parents Towards to Use of Antibiotics

Objective: To ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics, it is imperative to raise consciousness among families as well as pyhsicians. Therefore it is crucial to determine the knowledge and attitudes of parents towards the use of medicines. In this study we assessed the attitudes of parents of children towards the use of antibiotics following admission to our hospital's paediatric internal diseases clinic. Material and Methods: The study comprised faceto-face interviews with parents of 86 children. A data collection survey contained sections to define the habits of antibiotic usage as well as sociodemographic variables. Parents' attitudes towards drug usage were assessed within nine basic topics in which the questions were divided into "correct" and "incorrect" attitudes. The average of both groups was calculated and above-and below-average parents were compared in terms of independent variables. Results: Level of education and income showed no meaningful association with correct usage. However a higher level of education increased confidence in the physician. Attitudes of consulting the physician, following advice and reading instructions were over 85%. Conclusion: The attitudes of parents towards the appropriate use of medicines were generally positive. Similar studies based on not only attitudes but also behaviour are required.