Effectiveness of Educational Interventions in Changing Parental Antibiotic Use Behaviour: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v8i3.472Keywords:
Antibiotic use, Antimicrobial resistance, Parental behaviour, Educational interventions, Behaviour changeAbstract
Background: Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections but are ineffective against viral illnesses. Parental misconceptions often lead to the inappropriate use of antibiotics, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. While educational interventions aim to improve parental awareness, their effectiveness in changing actual behaviour remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions in modifying parental antibiotic use behaviour, assessing whether increased knowledge translates into responsible antibiotic practices.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS), Google Scholar, and Science Direct for studies published between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Studies assessing educational interventions targeting parental knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural outcomes related to antibiotic use were screened and reviewed.
Results: Of 1,921 articles screened, seven met the inclusion criteria. While all studies reported improved parental knowledge and attitudes, only three assessed actual behavioural changes. Most studies lacked objective behavioural outcome measures, limiting conclusions on intervention effectiveness. Geographically, only one study was conducted in Asia (Hong Kong), with no studies from Malaysia, highlighting a significant regional research gap.
Conclusion: This review underscores the scarcity of studies evaluating behavioural outcomes in parental antibiotic use interventions, particularly in Southeast Asia. Future research should prioritise robust study designs that assess real-world behavioural changes to develop effective, region-specific educational programs.
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