Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antibiotic misuse for childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remains a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents regarding antibiotic use for children with ARIs and to explore the influence of sociodemographic factors on KAP outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 parents attending the Pediatrics Outpatient Department at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Data were collected using a pre-validated structured questionnaire comprising items across knowledge, attitude, and practice domains. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and KAP scores. Inferential analyses, including chi-square tests, ANOVA, and bivariate regression, were used to assess associations between KAP scores and sociodemographic variables. Reliability and factor analyses validated the internal consistency and construct validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean scores indicated moderate levels of parental awareness and behavior regarding antibiotic use (Knowledge: 3.67; Attitude: 3.48; Practice: 3.84 on a five-point scale). Parental education, income, place of residence, and number of children were significantly associated with KAP scores (p < 0.05). Parents with fewer children, higher education levels, lower income, and urban residence demonstrated significantly better knowledge and practices. A strong positive correlation was observed between knowledge and practice domains (R = 0.511, p < 0.001), indicating that informed parents were more likely to adopt appropriate antibiotic use behaviors. ANOVA revealed significant differences in KAP scores across different demographic subgroups. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health education programs to improve antibiotic-related knowledge and practices, particularly in rural, less-educated, and higher-income populations. Promoting rational antibiotic use among parents may help to curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Future research should evaluate the impact of educational interventions across diverse communities.