Other Titles
Parents’ Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Qualitative Study Utilizing the Health Belief Model in Perth, Western Australia [Title Slide]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine local factors that promote or prevent parents’ responsible use of antibiotics for their children in Perth, Western Australia.
Methods: The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 26 participants. Participants were recruited purposively through a parent group organisation. The Framework Method was utilised to analyse the data.
Results: Participants agreed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health problem. However, participants admitted that they lacked awareness of AMR, inhibiting their ability to assess the risks of developing AMR infections among their children. Participants knew the indications and risks of antibiotic use but still viewed antibiotics as a time-saving solution that minimised disruption to their routine. Participants’ previous experiences in managing their children's illness increased their confidence and linked their positive and negative experiences with their general practitioners in their judicious use of antibiotics.
Conclusions: While parents demonstrated awareness of the indications of antibiotics, they continue to lack AMR awareness and overvalue antibiotics.
Implications for public health: The findings highlight that incorporating parent empowerment and participation in decision-making regarding antibiotics use, and maintaining a positive relationship with healthcare providers, were important strategies to encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Notes
References:
Rogawski ET, Platts-Mills JA, Seidman JC, John S, Mahfuz M, Ulak M, et al. Use of antibiotics in children younger than two years in eight countries: A prospective cohort study. Bull World Health Organ. 2017; 95(1): 49–61.
Jackson C, Hsia Y, Bielicki JA, Ellis S, Stephens P, Wong ICK, et al. Estimating global trends in total and childhood antibiotic consumption, 2011-2015. BMJ Global Health. 2019; 4(1):e001241.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. AURA 2019: Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia [Internet]. Sydney (AUST): ACSQHC; 2019 [cited 2022 Apr 5]. Available from: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/aura-2019-third-australian-report-antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-human-health
Additional reference list available in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Psi Alpha at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Clinical Practice, Antibiotics Use, Antimicrobial Resistance, Children, Perth, Australia
Recommended Citation
Alejandro, Aaron Lapuz; Bruce, Mieghan; and Leo, Cheryl, "Parents’ Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Qualitative Study Utilizing the Health Belief Model" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 132.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/132
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-01
Parents’ Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Qualitative Study Utilizing the Health Belief Model
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Objective: This study aimed to determine local factors that promote or prevent parents’ responsible use of antibiotics for their children in Perth, Western Australia.
Methods: The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 26 participants. Participants were recruited purposively through a parent group organisation. The Framework Method was utilised to analyse the data.
Results: Participants agreed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health problem. However, participants admitted that they lacked awareness of AMR, inhibiting their ability to assess the risks of developing AMR infections among their children. Participants knew the indications and risks of antibiotic use but still viewed antibiotics as a time-saving solution that minimised disruption to their routine. Participants’ previous experiences in managing their children's illness increased their confidence and linked their positive and negative experiences with their general practitioners in their judicious use of antibiotics.
Conclusions: While parents demonstrated awareness of the indications of antibiotics, they continue to lack AMR awareness and overvalue antibiotics.
Implications for public health: The findings highlight that incorporating parent empowerment and participation in decision-making regarding antibiotics use, and maintaining a positive relationship with healthcare providers, were important strategies to encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Description
Parents’ experience in managing their children's illnesses increased their knowledge regarding the correct use of antibiotics. However, having the knowledge does not always translate into responsible use of antibiotics for their children, especially when parents struggle to balance attending to their sick child while maintaining the family routine.