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Published on: October 22, 2020
Children exposed to environmental smoking have a higher antibiotic consumption
Percy Nilsson1, Marie Köhler, Per-Olof Ostergren
1Department of Pediatrics, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. percy.nilsson@med.lu.se
Insights
Environmental smoking and daycare attendance are key factors influencing antibiotic prescribing in young children. Reducing exposure may decrease antibiotic use and improve child health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Antibiotic prescribing patterns in children are influenced by various factors.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors associated with antibiotic prescribing in 4-year-old children.
- To inform public health strategies for optimizing antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a questionnaire data from 8700 parents of 4-year-old children in Malmö (1999-2004).
- Statistical analysis to determine significant risk factors for antibiotic treatment.
Main Results:
- 51.3% of children received antibiotic treatment.
- Environmental smoking exposure, daycare attendance, parental employment, and Swedish-born parents were significant risk factors.
- A notable association was found between environmental smoking and antibiotic prescriptions.
Conclusions:
- Environmental smoking and daycare are significant predictors of antibiotic prescribing in young children.
- Targeted information campaigns on smoking cessation could reduce antibiotic use.
- Interventions may yield broader health benefits for children and parents.
Abstract:
In order to investigate what factors influence antibiotic prescribing, a questionnaire answered by 8700 parents to 4-year-old children in Malmö between 1999 and 2004 was analyzed. 51.3% of the 4-year-old children had been treated with antibiotics. Exposure to environmental smoking, attending day care centers, employment of parents and parents born in Sweden was found to be statistically significant risk factor for antibiotic prescribing. The association between environmental smoking and antibiotic treatment found in this study could be used in information campaigns which might not only lead to a decreased antibiotic prescribing among the children, but also future positive health effects for their parents.
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