title: Oral contraceptives and antibiotics. A cross-sectional study about patients' knowledge in general practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The evidence regarding oral contraceptives and its effectiveness with concomitant ingestion of antibiotics is conflicting. Until evidence becomes clearer, patients should be aware of this possible interaction. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and the source of information about this interaction in GP patients in Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the framework of the APRES study, 20 Austrian GPs were purposefully selected from among a GP research network and were asked to recruit 200 patients each. The patient cohort was asked to complete a questionnaire. Subsequent analysis included descriptive statistics, statistical tests and logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 3280 questionnaires could be used for analysis. Of these, 29.7 % (n = 974) of patients acknowledged an awareness of the interaction of antibiotics with OCPs. Women under the age of 46 years acknowledged this interaction in 52.3 % of cases. Positive associations for the belief in an existing interaction in women were identified with age (OR 2.2) and having read the package inserts (OR 1.6). Further, belief was recognized in males based on age (OR 2.5) and tertiary education (OR 2.0). The main source of information regarding antibiotics was the GP (55.9 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Less than one-third of all participants and half of the women in the reproductive age acknowledged an interaction between antibiotics and OCPs. Since the GP is the main source of information, this finding depicts a large potential for knowledge transfer within the primary health care setting. A multifaceted strategy is needed at both the population and the GP level to improve awareness and to address these educational gaps.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical, University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/I 1st floor, 1090, Vienna, Austria. kathryn.hoffmann@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Rd, Box 3886, Durham, 27705, USA, North Carolina. aaron.george@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical, University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/I 1st floor, 1090, Vienna, Austria. heschlius@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heschl
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical, University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/I 1st floor, 1090, Vienna, Austria. heschlius@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna Katharina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Leifheit
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical, University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/I 1st floor, 1090, Vienna, Austria. manfred.maier@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral