Factors of early infancy and recurrent use of antibiotic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the role of early infant-related, parent-related, family functioning and social relation factors during the infant's first 3 mo of life and their associations with later recurrent treatments with antibiotics.


METHODS
In an unselected population-based study, parents expecting their first child were followed from pregnancy until the infant was 18 mo of age. Informed consent to participate was obtained from 1443 women expecting their first child and their spouses. The parents of 817 children reported the number of preceding antibiotic treatments at two times (when the child was 9 and 18 mo old). The outcome measure was the number of antibiotic treatments (options: none, 1-5, > or = 6). The factors associated with later use of antibiotics were collected during the first 3 mo of the infant's life. The variable factors included infant-related, parent-related, family functioning and social relation factors.


RESULTS
The final regression analysis showed the potent factors associated with recurrent use of antibiotics: male gender (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6-4.8), frequent physician consultations in early infancy (OR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8-5.3) and the father's need for outside support (OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.8).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to early infant-related medical factors, family factors may be associated with frequent medical consultations and the decision to administer antibiotics to the infant. In the prevention of antibiotic overuse, social and psychological factors should be considered.
Louhi-Pirkanniemi
K
K
Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. katlou@netti.fi
Rautava
P
P
Aromaa
M
M
Ojanlatva
A
A
Mertsola
J
J
Helenius
H
H
Sillanpää
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003085:Colic; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents