Managing uncertainty in antibiotic decisions: factors influencing antibiotic use among chinese parents of children in a multi-source information environment

PURPOSE: Antibiotic misuse among children in China remains a significant concern. Parents typically make decisions about antibiotic use within a complex health information environment comprising multiple sources. This study aims to explore which information sources influence Chinese parents' use of antibiotics when faced with uncertainty about their children's health, and how these sources affect the management of such uncertainty. METHODS: Guided by uncertainty management theory, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 participants and analyzed data via codebook thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) Grandparents' Interference in Parents' Medication Decisions; (2) Limited Adherence to the Doctor's Advice; (3) Diverse Medication Information in New Media Environments. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese parents manage uncertainty about antibiotic use by drawing on multiple information sources, including family experiences, professional advice, and online information. This mixed information environment may increase the risk of inappropriate antibiotic use. The influence of grandparents highlights the need for family-oriented health education, while parents' selective engagement with and adoption of doctors' recommendations indicate that pediatric healthcare providers should proactively improve communication and provide clearer guidance on medication use. Additionally, the growing use of digital health information calls for improved oversight and development of trustworthy online health resources.