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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the parental knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (BEP). METHODS: Parents of 205 patients attending the Pediatric Cardiology Clinics at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, King Fahad University Hospital, Al-Khobar and Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from July 1999 to June 2000, were interviewed by a standard questionnaire pertaining to their knowledge of their child9s cardiac disease, medications, and BEP. The patients9 cardiac lesions and current medications were verified by a review of medical records. Each patient9s need for BEP was determined according to American Heart Association recommendations. RESULTS: All parents answered the interview questions. The patients9 mean age was 5 years and 8 months with a range of one month to 15 years. One hundred and two (50%) parents were high school graduates. Fifty-two (25%) parents correctly defined endocarditis. Two hundred and one (98%) parents knew the correct name of their child9s cardiac condition, and 46/50 (92%) of those on medication knew the names of their child9s current medications. Only 113/176 (64%) parents with at risk children were aware of measures to prevent endocarditis. CONCLUSION: While most parents know the name of their child9s heart lesion and current medications, parental knowledge of endocarditis and BEP was limited. Intensified education and awareness programs are needed in order to prevent potential major morbidity and mortality for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

182

Last Page

185

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