Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Paediatric Ear Infections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A quantitative study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices of parents towards childhood ear infections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between April and June 2018. An online survey was sent to a random selection of parents who were ≥18 years old with children of ≤10 years old. Associations between parental knowledge, attitude, care-seeking practices, socioeconomic status, level of education and age were assessed using the chi square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 782 subjects participated in this study (response rate: 78.2%). Most respondents were knowledgeable (76.2%), had a positive attitude (78.9%) and had positive care-seeking practices (89.5%). There was a statistically significant difference on both bivariate and multivariate analyses (P <0.05) between parental care seeking practice and knowledge. Parents who sought modern approaches to treatment were found to be almost nine times more likely to have a good attitude towards ear infections than those who did not seek treatment (odds ratio = 8.907, 95% confidence interval = 2.655–34.928; P <0.001). A statistically significant relationship was found between good care-seeking practice and age, as well as socioeconomic status (P <0.05 each). Conclusion: This study showed that knowledge, attitude and practice regarding paediatric ear infections were positive in the majority of parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Future studies should assess other factors that enhance the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding ear infections.Keywords: Otitis Media; Infection; Knowledge; Attitude; Pediatrics; Parents; Saudi Arabia.

A study of knowledge, attitude and practices about otitis media in parents in Navi-Mumbai

“…The reason for laid-back attitude and care seeking practices in some parents may also be due to dissatisfaction with healthcare services due to inaccessibility and inordinate delays. These findings are in agreement with other similar studies ( Alharbi MM et al., 2019 ; Mukara KB et al., 2017 ; Shaheen MM et al., 2012 ). Over-the-counter availability of medicines was a recognised factor for not seeking treatment from qualified health personnel in a study in Bangladesh and may also have some implication in present study ( Shaheen MM et al., 2012 ).…”

“…While the majority of parents displayed positive attitude and care-seeking practices, parents who did not seek treatment from the health centre attributed the behaviour to poverty, ignorance and lack of health insurance. These findings are similar to other studies ( Mukara KB et al., 2017 ; Alharbi MM et al., 2019 ). Such risky health-seeking practices in parents, highlight the importance of engaging in health education drives and making affordable healthcare available to all, through government and non-governmental initiatives.…”

“…There was no significant association of gender with KAP scores unlike Alharbi MM et al. who reported a positive correlation between female gender and KAP scores ( Alharbi MM et al., 2019 ). While mothers scored less on knowledge parameters, they performed better on attitude and practices in present study.…”

“…and Alharbi et al. have reported positive association of knowledge and care seeking practices with education and socioeconomic status while observing parental hesitancy to seek treatment from health centres to be associated with poverty, ignorance and lack of insurance ( Mukara KB et al., 2017 ; Alharbi MM et al., 2019 ). These authors have observed a need for further research to better understand the factors which can improve care seeking practices in parents.…”

Parental knowledge and attitudes to childhood hearing loss and hearing services in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

“…The acceptance of newborn hearing tests reaches 96% of the parents, OAE accepted by 93.3, 94% of the parents were accepting the use of hearing aids if needed and the surgery the correct the hearing accepted by 64% of the parents [14]. There are multiple factors that increase parental knowledge and attitude towards hearing loss and hearing services, which include older age group, female gender, high income, and high level of education [15][16][17]. The poor knowledge of the parents can lead to late diagnosis and treatment, so the current study is trying to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding hearing loss and hearing services.…”