Summary of Consumer Health Information
Centre survey (Sept 1998)
The following survey results were
obtained through a Gallup poll conducted in
the weeks after the Government's recommendations
on restriction of antibiotic use for colds
and flu.
- One in four of the population of England,
Scotland and Wales (26%) ask their doctor
for antibiotics when they have a bad cold
or flu.
- Of those asking their doctor for antibiotics,
those in age group 16-24 are more likely
to ask when they have a bad cold or when
they have flu.
- Results suggest that the request
for antibiotics to treat a bad cold
or flu is not due to a lack of confidence
in self-medication but
over half (55%) said this was because they wanted to get better quicker
a fifth (21%) said this because they believe that antibiotics work
- The motivation also varied with age
- the 16-24 age group are more likely
to ask for antibiotics because they
want to get better quicker (72%)
- the 65+ age group are most likely
to ask because they believe antibiotics
work (29%)
- Those in social group A/B are more likely
to ask for antibiotics when they have a
bad cold than those in groups C2 and D/E.
- Key regional breakdowns:
people in Greater London are more likely to ask for antibiotics when they have
a bad cold (26%) than those in the rest of England, Scotland and Wales (average
19%).
people in SW and Wales are less likely to ask for antibiotics when they have
flu (15%) than those in rest of England and Scotland (average 20%).
Notes for editors
The Gallup Organization conducted 2054 telephone
interviews with a representative sample of British
adults aged 16+ between the 18th and 23rd of
September 1998. Quotas were set for region and
the sample was weighted to the known profile
of all adults. There is a margin of error of
2.2%.
or further information please contact:
Karen Kelshaw
Consumer Health Information Centre
tel: 020 7421 9314
fax: 020 7421 9317
email: karen.kelshaw@pagb.co.uk
Pam Prentice
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel: 020 7383 6144
out of office hours: 0780 3399826
email: pprentice@bma.org.uk
Marianne Smith
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel 020 7383 6828
fax: 020 7383 6966
email: msmith@bma.org.uk
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