Health Beliefs of Punjabi Speaking Indian and Pakistani Women on Antibiotic Prescribing for their Children, in Primary Care.

Problem

Growing antimicrobial resistance is a global public health challenge. Indian and Pakistani groups have higher expectations of acquiring a prescription and children receive a large proportion of antibiotics issued in primary care. This study explores Punjabi speaking, Indian and Pakistani mothers’ beliefs on antibiotic prescribing for their children, in order to make recommendations to reduce inappropriate primary care antibiotic prescribing in these groups.

Approach

A qualitative study conducted in a community setting exploring views of nine Indian and five Pakistani, Punjabi speaking, first-generation and second-generation mothers. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out using a piloted interview guide. Thematic Analysis was used to analyse transcripts and generate themes.

Findings

Four main themes depicted mothers’ experiences of prescribing antibiotic for their child or children. ‘Cultural influences’ appeared to impact mothers’ health beliefs, and ‘knowledge and understanding of antibiotics and infections’ that often conflict with scientific evidence and guidelines. Mothers described ‘maternal protection’ as a motherly instinct that develops over time. Lastly, ‘the role of the doctor’ is apparent in determining mothers’ health beliefs with regard to antibiotic prescribing for their children.

Consequences

Primary care clinicians could benefit from a greater understanding of the diversity of health practices and cultural views of mothers from minority ethnic communities. Providing mothers with information on different types of infections and indications for antibiotics for their children may reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor. If doctors improve their ability to differentiate between a mother’s expression of concern and their request for antibiotics, inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in primary care may be reduced.