Knowledge and Practices of Iraqi Pediatricians Regarding Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Authors

• Nabeeha Najatee Akram, Assistant professor Department of Pediatrics, college of medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Shaymaa Khalid Abdulqader, Assistant professor Department of Radiology Al-Kindy College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Maha Majeed Hameed, Pediatrician Alresafa Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Baghdad, Iraq

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge of pediatricians regarding antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and explore their practices with prevention and treatment of AAD.

Patients and method: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study enrolled Iraqi pediatricians. A structured self-administered questionnaire was constructed based on a comprehensive review of current literature and ESPIGAN guidelines relevant to AAD. The questionnaire consists of three parts: the first part consists of six questions about the clinical and demographical characteristics of pediatricians, including age, sex, title (Qualification), years of experience in pediatrics, affiliation, and province of work. The second part consists of 12 closed-ended questions with each requiring a binary response (yes/no) to assess knowledge about AAD. The third part consists of two questions about measures used by pediatricians for the prevention and treatment of AAD. The responses were analysed to find an association with the qualification of pediatricians.

Results: A total of 213 respondents had filled the questionnaire, female had the predominance with female to male ratio of 2: 1. While most studied pediatricians 138 (64.8%) had demonstrated good knowledge about AAD, there was no statistically significant association between pediatrician qualifications and their practice regarding both prevention and management of AAD (P value = 0.471, 0.236) respectively. About two-thirds, 59% of pediatricians were unaware of the exact strain of probiotics that they prescribed, with Bifidobacterium bifidum being the most commonly used for AAD by 18% of them.

Conclusion: Pediatricians demonstrated good knowledge regarding AAD. However, a significant gap exists in awareness of specific probiotic strains, highlighting the need for targeted education.

Keywords

Antibiotics, Clostridium difficile, Probiotics

Recommended Citation

Akram, Nabeeha Najatee; Abdulqader, Shaymaa Khalid; and Hameed, Maha Majeed (2026) "Knowledge and Practices of Iraqi Pediatricians Regarding Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 2, Article 12.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss2/12

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.