Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Cocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi, cilt.19, sa.3, 2025 (ESCI)
Objective: Inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics has emerged as a major global public health issue as a result of the their use in the prevention and treatment of infections. In this study, it was aimed to determine the antibiotic perceptions of parents with the Parental Perception on Antibiotics (PAPA) scale and investigate related factors. Material and Methods: The study comprised a total of 484 participants. In this study, a survey form comprising 15 questions was utilized as data collection tool. The survey consisted of 10 questions aimed at gathering information on the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the family and an additional five questions focused on their healthrelated characteristics. Additionally, the PAPA scale, which comprises 31 statements, was also employed. Results: A total of 484 parents completed the questionnaires, indicating a response rate of 100%. Of the participants, 75% were mothers. Mean score for knowledge and beliefs was found to be 25.3, with a range of 10 to 50. The average score for behaviors was 23.5, with a range of 5 to 25. Mean score for seeking information was 23.2, with a range of 7 to 35. The adherence score had a mean of 20.1, with a range of 5 to 25. Additionally, the awareness score regarding antibiotics resistance was found to be 12.9, with a range of 4 to 20. The aggregate score amounted to 107, with the minimum score being 31 and the maximum score being 155. A satisfactory level of antibiotic awareness was observed. The behaviour of not using unnecessary antibiotics was more prevalent among those whose parents had a higher level of education, whose children had four or more respiratory tract infections in one year, whose children needed four or more antibiotic treatments in one year, and who resided in urban areas. Conclusion: It is advisable to implement measures aimed at improving parental attitudes towards antibiotics. Prioritizing the intervention for groups with comparatively lower perception scores is recommended. Further research is necessary to determine additional factors associated with the perception of antibiotics.