Parental knowledge, attitude, and practice for pediatric ear infections in Al-Qunfudah Governorate, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the parents' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward pediatric ear infections in Al-Qunfudah Governate, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia, targeting parents of children under 18 years. The study data were collected through a pre-designed questionnaire that was disseminated through different social platforms. Results: A study surveyed 413 parents, with a mean age of 36.5 ± 10.9 years. Good knowledge about pediatric ear infections was detected among 155 parents, representing 37.5% of the sample. High educational level and health care staff as a source of information were significantly associated with a high knowledge level about pediatric ear infections, with p-values of 0.004 and 0.001, respectively. Regarding parents' attitudes and practices regarding their children's ear infections, 368 (89.1%) parents sought medical care from healthcare providers. Causes of delay or non-seeking medical care for ear infections were lack of health insurance (23.5%, n = 97), financial incapacity (26.2%, n = 108), and parents' negligence (62.6%, n = 258). Conclusion: The parents in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia, showed below-average knowledge about pediatric ear infections. Highly educated parents and those who were dependent on the medical team as the source of their health information had satisfactory knowledge about pediatric ear infections. Parents' negligence and financial issues were the commonly reported causes of seeking medical care for children's ear infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]