Prevalence and Predictors of Using Antibiotics without a Prescription in a Pediatric Population in the United States

Authors

Kiara Olmeda
Barbara W Trautner
Lindsey Laytner
Juanita Salinas
Stephanie Marton
Larissa Grigoryan

Publication Date

3-1-2023

Journal

Antibiotics

DOI

10.3390/antibiotics12030491

PMID

36978358

PMCID

PMC10044616

Published Open-Access

no

Keywords

antimicrobial resistance, pediatric, antibiotic use, non-prescription antibiotic use, antimicrobial stewardship

Abstract

Non-prescription antibiotic use (using antibiotics without clinical guidance) increases the risk of the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, and other potential patient harm. Few studies have explored non-prescription use in children in the U.S. From January 2021 to April 2022, a diverse sample of caregivers of children under 18 years were surveyed in English and Spanish at two safety net clinics in Texas. We assessed the prevalence of antibiotic use in children in the previous 12 months, storage of antimicrobials, and intended use of non-prescription antibiotics (professed intention for future non-prescription antibiotic use). We also measured sociodemographic factors, types of antibiotics used, and symptoms that trigger non-prescription use. The response rate was 82%, and 17% were surveyed in Spanish. Of 322 participants surveyed, three Spanish-speaking caregivers reported giving non-prescription antibiotics to their child in the previous 12 months. Approximately 21% (

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