Pattern of Pediatric Self Prescribed Use of Antibiotics in Kuwait

Objective: To assess the pattern of self-prescribed use of antibiotics among children in Kuwait. Methods: Parents of 150 children attending dental appointments at governmental dental centres in Kuwait were invited to participate in this questionnaire-based study. There were 11 questions on the child's antibiotic use pattern. Demographics of the child and the participating parent were recorded. Data were descriptively analysed using SPSS. Results: The response rate was 92%. The majority of participants were mothers (79%), 25-45 years of age (87%), with >2 children (77%). Over two-thirds were attending the pediatric dental clinic for an appointment for their healthy, 4-10 year-old child. A little over 50% had an educational level of university (first degree or higher), and 58% had a monthly income of 1,000-2,000 KD. Antibiotics were used >3 times over the past 6 months for 16% of children. Amoxil.(33%), followed by Augmentin (26%), were the most commonly used antibiotics. Antibiotics were used to treat ENT problems in 56% of cases, and dental problems in 10%. Almost 36% reported self-prescribing antibiotics for their child over the past 6 months, whilst 2% reported doing so more than once. In addition, 2% gave their child antibiotics based only on the recommendations of friends or family. Over 10% reported using the remains of an old prescription. Fever was an indication for antibiotic use in 16%. In addition, 20% were not aware of the potential risks involved in the repeated use of antibiotics. Conclusions: Self-prescription of antibiotics for children is relatively prevalent in this group. More effort is needed to educate parents in Kuwait about the potential health risks of self-prescribing antibiotics for their children.