Consulting behaviour in a group of young families

From data collected as part of a sociological study of the health care of children in a socially disadvantaged group, a description is given of all the illness perceived by the mothers, and the use of health services, in 139 children during six months. In some circumstances and for some conditions, the mothers of these families might be seen as 'underusing' services, neglecting potentially important symptoms. In other cases, they appeared to be 'overusers' for trivial conditions, especially of the services of their general practitioner. The reasons for their apparently inefficient behaviour are discussed, and suggestions are made about the possible implications for primary care among vulnerable families.