Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Ear Infections in Children and Adolescents in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze the parental knowledge, attitude and practice for pediatric ear infection in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Lahore, Pakistan, that specifically targeted the parents of children below 18 years. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire from parents who visited Nawaz Sharif Hospital and from the community and occupational settings.
Result: The study examined 268 parents, with a mean age of 35 ± 8 years. 226 (84.33%) parents demonstrated good knowledge of children's ear infections. Family and health Professionals were major sources of knowledge and had good knowledge regarding pediatric ear infection, while media (90.42%) and family (90.24%) had higher rates of good knowledge. Family was the main independent source associated with good knowledge (AOR = 4.323, 95% CI: 1.837–10.173; P = 0.001), whereas residence outside Lahore was associated with lower knowledge (AOR = 0.261, 95% CI: 0.096–0.708; P = 0.008. Overall, 261 (97.4%) parents consulted medical doctors for their children's ear infections. The perception of respondents on reasons for delayed or no medical treatment for ear infections includes: parental ignorance (73.1%, n = 196) and poverty (65.3%, n = 175).
Conclusion: The present study found that most parents had a good level of awareness about ear infection in Lahore. Family, health professionals, and media were important sources correlated with good knowledge regarding ear infections in children. Parental ignorance and poverty were the most reported barriers to seeking medical care for pediatric ear infections.
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