OBJECTIVETo survey the knowledge and behaviors of antibiotic use for children among parents in Ningbo and to explore the influencing factors.

METHODSOne kindergarten and one primary school were randomly selected in Yinzhou and Beilun District of Ningbo using stratified random cluster sampling method, respectively. A survey on the knowledge and behaviors of antibiotics use for children was conducted with a self-designed questionnaire among parents of children aged 2 to 14 years in the sampled kindergarten and school.

RESULTSThe scores of antibiotic use knowledge were 0-4 in 36.6%(1028/2806) of parents. In the past month, 56.6%(556/983) of parents self-medicated their children, including 20.3%(113/556) medicated with antibiotics. In the past year, 48.5%(1361/2806) of parents stored antibiotics for children at home. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mother, and parents with city residence, higher education level, higher household income, medical background, male children and younger children had higher antibiotic use knowledge scores(<0.05 or <0.01); parents with city residence, higher education level and medical background were more likely to store antibiotics at home (all <0.01); parents with city residence and those store antibiotics at home were more likely to self-medicate their children with antibiotics (<0.05 or <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSsPoor knowledge and massive antibiotic missuse for children among parents are of great concern in Ningbo. Tailored health education programs are needed to improve the knowledge and behaviors of rational antibiotic use among parents and reduce storage of antibiotics at home.