title: Caregivers' baseline understanding and expectations of antibiotic use for their children.
abstract: Although there is evidence that oral antibiotic prescriptions for children have decreased since the 1990s, antibiotic resistance continues to be a problem. This study evaluated the caregivers' understanding of antibiotic use for their children and identified demographic characteristics that may contribute to inappropriate antibiotic-seeking behavior. Caregivers were asked how often the child should receive antibiotics for common medical conditions and about factors to improve patient compliance. This study found that caregivers overexpected antibiotic use with upper respiratory infection, ear infection, and pneumonia. Caretakers with lower incomes and on Medicaid comprised the higher percentage of overusers. The most important factors to improve patient compliance were explanation of the name and indication for antibiotic use. This study showed that demographic variables play a role in caregivers' expectations of antibiotic use. Effective communication of physicians with caregivers on antibiotic use can be an important strategy to improve patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Huntsville Regional Medical Campus, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA.
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Lea S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Eiland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents