Assessing mothers' awareness of antibiotic use for children in the city of Surman

Abstract

In the twentieth century, active surveying was considered one of the most dangerous health issues for children, as the knowledge and practices of the abdomen play a pivotal role in rationalizing the consumption of these medicines. Therefore, the partial study that was tested in the city of Surman in Libya aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 92 mothers of children under the age of 12, until it became based on a questionnaire, on the extent of awareness of the justifications for use and practice of self-medication.
The results revealed a sample with a high level of education (78.25%), yet a critical knowledge gap emerged. Only 21.74% understood that antibiotics are specifically for bacterial infections, while 56.52% of mothers mistakenly believed that these medications accelerate recovery from any illness. Regarding practices, the study recorded a strong adherence to not dispensing antibiotics without a prescription (73.91%) and a primary reliance on doctors as the source of information, with no reliance on peer advice (0%); however, 50% of participants admitted to discontinuing treatment as soon as their symptoms improved.
The study concluded that there is a fundamental cognitive-behavioral contradiction. Despite high trust in the medical establishment, there remains a lack of scientific understanding of the indications for use and the risks of not completing the course of treatment. This necessitates the adoption of targeted educational programs and the activation of the clinical pharmacist's role to bridge this societal gap.