Caregivers' practices, knowledge and beliefs of antibiotics in paediatric upper respiratory tract infections in Trinidad and Tobago: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Antibiotic overuse and misuse for upper respiratory tract infections in children is widespread and fuelled by public attitudes and expectations. This study assessed knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding antibiotic use for these paediatric infections among children's caregivers' in Trinidad and Tobago in the English speaking Caribbean.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, by random survey children's adult caregivers gave a telephone interview from November 1998 to January 1999.

The general public's perceptions and use of antimicrobials in Trinidad and Tobago.

Objective: To determine the general public's perceptions and use of antibiotics in Trinidad and Tobago, a two-island republic in the Caribbean.

Methods: This prospective study surveyed 824 randomly selected households listed in the telephone directory, from November 1998 to January 1999. Through telephone interviews we determined knowledge about antibiotics and beliefs concerning their safety and efficacy.