Mothers' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use in Paediatric Dentistry: A Cross-sectional Survey

Introduction: Odontogenic infections in children are commonly addressed through prescriptions that frequently include antibiotics for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. Mothers, being the primary caregivers, play a vital role in ensuring their children receive antibiotics as prescribed. Insufficient awareness among mothers regarding the prudent utilisation of antibiotics can contribute to misuse and the development of antibiotic resistance. Aim: To explore the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of mothers regarding the use of antibiotics in children for the management of odontogenic infections in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multi- lingual, close-ended, knowledge-attitudes-practices-based offline questionnaire with 23 questions. The survey included 203 mothers with children between six months and 13 years old, attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Panihati, between October 2022 and January 2023, in the city of Kolkata, India. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A majority of mothers, 104 (51.2%) belonged to group <= 35 in the present study. A total of 85.7% of the mothers had knowledge that antibiotics are used against bacterial infections leading to toothache or facial swelling. Approximately 44.9% of the mothers demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding the global issue of antibiotic resistance, while 89.6% of mothers believed that antibiotics should be continued until the full course of prescribed antibiotics is completed. A total of 63.1% of mothers have administered antibiotics prescribed by pharmacists or medical shopkeepers to their children. The study revealed a significant association between the educational level of mothers and their awareness regarding the issue of antibiotic resistance, as well as between the parents' monthly income and their attitude towards the use of expensive antibiotics (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study highlights that in the city of Kolkata, the education level of mothers significantly affects their knowledge of antibiotic use in paediatric dentistry.