Table 2. Association of knowledge and attitudes with any misuse of antibiotics in 1392 parents of schoolchildren.
Knowledge or attitude statements | Percentile of responses | No misuse (N) | Any Misuse (N) | alqOR* (95%CI) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25% | 50% | 75% | ||||
Antibiotics are effective against viruses | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1171 | 86 | 2.08 (1.32, 3.19) |
Each type of infection needs a different antibiotic | 8 | 10 | 10 | 1174 | 87 | 1.17 (0.94, 1.44) |
Antibiotics can kill the bacteria that normally live on the skin and in the gut | 5 | 8 | 10 | 1138 | 85 | 1.16 (0.77, 1.61) |
If antibiotics are consumed in excess, they won’t work when they are really needed | 8 | 10 | 10 | 1168 | 85 | 0.96 (0.81, 1.14) |
When I get a cold, I take antibiotics to help me feel better faster | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1187 | 88 | 1.81 (1.41, 2.29) |
I expect my doctor to prescribe antibiotics if I suffer from common cold or flu symptoms | 0 | 5 | 9 | 1180 | 88 | 1.42 (0.91, 2.36) |
When I have a sore throat, I prefer to use an antibiotic | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1187 | 88 | 2.19 (1.61, 2.93) |
If I feel side effects during a course of treatment of antibiotics, I should stop taking them as soon as possible | 5 | 9 | 10 | 1170 | 86 | 1.40 (0.95, 2.01) |
It is good to be able to get antibiotics from relatives or friends without having to see a medical doctor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1186 | 88 | 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) |
I take the antibiotics according to the doctor’s instructions | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1186 | 86 | 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) |
I prefer to keep antibiotics at home in case there is a need for them later | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1181 | 86 | 2.44 (1.68, 3.46) |
I trust the doctor’s decision if s/he decides to prescribe or not prescribe antibiotics | 8 | 9 | 10 | 1183 | 87 | 0.88 (0.76, 1.04) |
If I believe that I need an antibiotic and the doctor did not prescribe it, I will get it at the pharmacy without a prescription | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1180 | 87 | 1.51 (1.35, 1.72) |
Doctors often explain clearly to the patient the reasons for prescribing or not prescribing antibiotics | 5 | 7 | 9 | 1180 | 86 | 0.75 (0.57, 1.00) |
Doctors often explain clearly to the patient the instructions for the use of antibiotics | 5 | 8 | 10 | 1179 | 86 | 0.66 (0.47, 0.90) |
When you buy antibiotics, the pharmacist tells you about the importance of correct therapeutic compliance/adherence | 3 | 6 | 9 | 1181 | 87 | 1.27 (0.83, 1.87) |
(*): adjusted for gender and age