Parents' perspectives on otitis media and antibiotics. A qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Judicious use of antibiotics is an important factor in decreasing the current increase in bacterial resistance. Discussion with patients and their guardians on whether to use antibiotics or not can be expected to increase in the future.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the views and feelings of parents of children with acute otitis media towards the disease and its treatment.


METHODS
A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews.


METHODS
Twenty-one parents of pre-school children with newly diagnosed acute otitis media who had attended a primary care centre in Reykjavik.


RESULTS
The parents did not consider the disease a threat. They generally thought the disease was caused by environmental factors or by a disturbance in body mechanism. The majority thought that treatment with antibiotics could harm their children.


CONCLUSIONS
The parents of young children hold views on acute otitis media and antibiotics which are markedly different from the medical model.
Jónsson
Halldór
H
Lágmúli Primary Care Centre, Reykjavík, Iceland. halldorj@hgl4.hr.is
Haraldsson
Rúnar Helgi
RH
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015984:Causality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000592:standards; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents