Antibiotics are increasingly critically evaluated by parents

Parents show critical attitude to antibiotics
In previous years, parents have often resorted to antibiotic treatment for infectious diseases of their children, although these agents make no sense in viral infections, for example. However, according to a recent DAK health survey, the attitude of the parents seems to be increasingly changing. Rightly the frivolous prescription of antibiotics is now increasingly critically evaluated.

According to the latest survey results of the DAK, 65 percent of parents today consider the use of antibiotics in their children critical. Seven years ago, in a survey, only 59 percent of parents had reservations about prescribing antibiotics, according to DAK. Particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia (75 per cent) and in the eastern federal states (on average 70 per cent), mothers and fathers have strong reservations about antibiotics. For the current study, the Forsa Institute had interviewed more than 1,000 parents with children under the age of six on behalf of DAK Health.

The attitude of many parents towards antibiotics has changed in recent years. (Image: Tomsickova / fotolia.com)

Different attitude to antibiotics
The DAK survey also shows that there are considerable differences in attitude to antibiotics among the different groups of parents. For example, single parents as well as parents who have two or more children under the age of 18 have stated comparatively frequently that they have no problem with the use of antibiotics if the doctor recommends them, although the age of the children also plays a role. In children up to the first year of life, parents are particularly cautious and the antibiotic dose is here critically questioned by many parents, while in the four to six-year-old children are already significantly less reservations to the antibiotics regulation, according to the DAK.

Critically question the use of antibiotics
Overall, the results are quite pleasing, emphasizes the DAK doctor Elisabeth Thomas. She welcomes the increasingly critical attitude of her parents, as antibiotics are still often used incorrectly and do more harm than good. In particular, the often rapid prescribing practice in viral infections such as colds or bronchitis in the cold season should be clearly criticized because the antibiotics can not help in such cases. "They fight bacteria, not viruses," explains the DAK doctor. Parents should discuss their concerns with the pediatrician and ask for the reasons for prescribing the antibiotic, Elisabeth Thomas continues. If the prescription is required, the funds must be taken as prescribed so that they really help, the expert stresses. Incorrect use could not only cause side effects, but also increase the risk of developing resistance.

Respiratory problems plague especially many children
In the current survey, numerous other aspects of child health were also queried. For example, according to the parents, acute respiratory problems were a particular problem for many children (30 percent of respondents said this), as well as skin diseases ( 15 percent) and ear disorders (10 percent) are common. For example, problems with the eyes (3 percent) or the bladder (1 percent) are rather rare. The DAK survey also shows that parents are less likely to go to the doctor with their children than before, which DAK doctor Elisabeth Thomas attributes to the increasing safety and medical education of their parents. This strengthens your own judgment, whether a visit to the doctor is necessary or not. For example, in the current survey, only 36 percent of parents were in practice four to eight times a year with their child, compared to 58 percent in 2008.

Many parents trust alternative healing methods
Parental attitudes to alternative healing are also changing, with as many as 24 percent of respondents claiming to trust in alternative healing methods such as homeopathy, herbal medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). After all, 46 percent of parents trust these alternative forms of treatment and only eight percent have no confidence in the natural healing methods. (Fp)