Table 2.

Responders' knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of antibiotics and respiratory tract infections (n = 935).

Knowledge	Agree, n (%)
Antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial but not viral infections	417 (44.6)
Antibiotics are effective in treating infections caused by bacteria	783 (83.7)
Antibiotics are effective in treating infections caused by viruses	447 (47.8)
Beliefs and experiences	Agree, n (%)
I usually know when I need antibiotics	349 (37.3)
Decisions regarding the prescription of antibiotics have to be taken by a doctor	869 (92.9)
I find being given a delayed prescription of antibiotics acceptable	371 (39.7)
Bacteria can become less susceptible (resistant) to antibiotics	859 (91.9)
If antibiotics have been prescribed before they will be required again for similar symptoms in the future	350 (37.4)
If antibiotics have cured me before they will be required again for similar symptoms in the future	233 (24.9)
Taking antibiotics helps patients feel better sooner if they have:
Common cold	177 (18.9)
Acute bronchitis	635 (67.9)
Pneumonia	806 (86.2)