Table 3.
Effect of immediate or delayed antibiotic treatment for childhood acute otitis media on percentage not better (3 days after seeing the doctor), parents' belief in antibiotics and satisfaction with treatment, and side effects of antibiotic use. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Antibiotic treatment allocated
|
Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate (n=135) | Delayed (n=150) | ||
| Patients not better | 19 (14) | 45 (30) | χ2=10.3, P<0.01 |
| Belief that antibiotics are very effective | 100/131 (76) | 64/140 (46) | χ2=19.3, P<0.01 |
| Very satisfied with treatment approach | 123 (91) | 115 (77) | χ2=10.8, P<0.01 |
| Very likely to consult doctor in future | 109/132 (83) | 92/147 (63) | χ2=13.8, P<0.01 |
| Side effects: | |||
| Rash | 6/133 (5) | 8/149 (5) | χ2=0.1, P=0.74 |
| Diarrhoea | 25 (19) | 14 (9) | χ2=5.2, P=0.02 |