Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study

Abstract To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of family members regarding Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. This cross-sectional study collected demographic data and KAP scores from family members of children with M. pneumoniae infection at the People’s Hospital of Dongxi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shuchang Liang, Hui Yin, Li Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11531-8
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849234965261189120
author Shuchang Liang
Hui Yin
Li Wang
author_facet Shuchang Liang
Hui Yin
Li Wang
author_sort Shuchang Liang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of family members regarding Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. This cross-sectional study collected demographic data and KAP scores from family members of children with M. pneumoniae infection at the People’s Hospital of Dongxihu, Wuhan, from March to July 2024. A total of 521 family members participated in this study. The average age of family members was 37.65 ± 7.27 years, and the average age of children was 6.60 ± 3.64 years. The average scores were 8.88 ± 4.52 for knowledge (possible range: 0–20), 33.07 ± 3.72 for attitude (possible range: 8–40), and 35.22 ± 4.28 for practice (possible range: 8–40). Positive correlations were observed among the KAP dimensions, with knowledge showing a strong correlation with both attitude (r = 0.189, P < 0.001) and practice (r = 0.569, P < 0.001). The structural equation model demonstrated that knowledge had a total effect on both attitude (β = 0.415, 95%CI 0.327–0.501, P = 0.009) and practice (β = 0.430, 95%CI 0.353–0.502, P = 0.007). Additionally, the attitude had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.680, 95%CI 0.567–0.747, P = 0.020). The indirect effect of knowledge on practice through attitude was also significant (β = 0.282, 95%CI 0.227–0.351, P = 0.007). Family members showed positive attitudes but lacked knowledge about M. pneumoniae infection, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts. The results imply that improving knowledge about M. pneumoniae infection should also improve attitude and practice, possibly resulting in better patient outcomes.
format Article
id doaj-art-ffffda76f0cb4d8a9a6e59bf9269433e
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-ffffda76f0cb4d8a9a6e59bf9269433e2025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-11531-8Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional studyShuchang Liang0Hui Yin1Li Wang2Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Dongxihu DistrictDepartment of Pediatric, People’s Hospital of Dongxihu DistrictWuhan Children’s Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of family members regarding Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children. This cross-sectional study collected demographic data and KAP scores from family members of children with M. pneumoniae infection at the People’s Hospital of Dongxihu, Wuhan, from March to July 2024. A total of 521 family members participated in this study. The average age of family members was 37.65 ± 7.27 years, and the average age of children was 6.60 ± 3.64 years. The average scores were 8.88 ± 4.52 for knowledge (possible range: 0–20), 33.07 ± 3.72 for attitude (possible range: 8–40), and 35.22 ± 4.28 for practice (possible range: 8–40). Positive correlations were observed among the KAP dimensions, with knowledge showing a strong correlation with both attitude (r = 0.189, P < 0.001) and practice (r = 0.569, P < 0.001). The structural equation model demonstrated that knowledge had a total effect on both attitude (β = 0.415, 95%CI 0.327–0.501, P = 0.009) and practice (β = 0.430, 95%CI 0.353–0.502, P = 0.007). Additionally, the attitude had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.680, 95%CI 0.567–0.747, P = 0.020). The indirect effect of knowledge on practice through attitude was also significant (β = 0.282, 95%CI 0.227–0.351, P = 0.007). Family members showed positive attitudes but lacked knowledge about M. pneumoniae infection, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts. The results imply that improving knowledge about M. pneumoniae infection should also improve attitude and practice, possibly resulting in better patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11531-8Mycoplasma pneumoniae infectionKnowledge, attitudes, practicesCross-sectional studyHealthcare education
spellingShingle Shuchang Liang
Hui Yin
Li Wang
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
Scientific Reports
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Knowledge, attitudes, practices
Cross-sectional study
Healthcare education
title Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
title_full Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
title_short Knowledge, attitude, and practice of family members of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a cross-sectional study
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice of family members of children infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae a cross sectional study
topic Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Knowledge, attitudes, practices
Cross-sectional study
Healthcare education
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11531-8
work_keys_str_mv AT shuchangliang knowledgeattitudeandpracticeoffamilymembersofchildreninfectedwithmycoplasmapneumoniaeacrosssectionalstudy
AT huiyin knowledgeattitudeandpracticeoffamilymembersofchildreninfectedwithmycoplasmapneumoniaeacrosssectionalstudy
AT liwang knowledgeattitudeandpracticeoffamilymembersofchildreninfectedwithmycoplasmapneumoniaeacrosssectionalstudy