Awareness program for controlling the misuse of antibiotics and related resistance among mothers of children under 5 years

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are pharmacological agents synthesized in laboratories or derived from microorganisms to inhibit the growth of other living microorganisms. Antibiotics resistance represents a serious problem described by WHO as "a global public health concern" especially in children. AIM: To assess the impact of an antibiotic awareness program on the knowledge, attitude, and reported practices of mothers of children less than 5 years old Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post-test design was conducted at immunization and primary health care centers on 375 mothers. The intervention included a structured awareness program employing lectures, group discussions, and audiovisual materials. Researchers used tools to assess socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices, aiming to improve mothers' understanding and behavior regarding antibiotic use. RESULTS: The mothers' knowledge exhibited a substantial increase, as reflected in the total mean score rising from 6.25 ± 1.72 in the pre-test to 10.85 ± 2.49 in the post-test. Furthermore, the participants' attitudes witnessed a noteworthy shift, with the pre-test total mean score of 28.19 ± 10.12 experiencing a considerable improvement post-program to reach 59.60 ± 12.40. Additionally, the reported practices of the mothers displayed positive changes, as evidenced by an improvement in the total mean score from 6.36 ± 1.97 in the post-test. CONCLUSION: The well-designed awareness programs can play a crucial role in empowering mothers to make informed decisions and adopt responsible practices, contributing to the overall effort in controlling antibiotic misuse and combating resistance in the context of child healthcare.