Table 3

Relation between number of primary care consultations for the child and population characteristics – multivariate analysis.

Explanatory variables

Adjusted Rate Ratio*

95% CI

Health information sources

Internet

No

1

Yes

0.97

[0.86–1.09]

Relatives working in the medical sector

No

1

Yes

1.08

[1.01–1.16]

Other relatives

No

1

Yes

1.12

[1.01–1.25]

Characteristics of the child

Age

2–3 years old

1

4 years

0.84

[0.73–0.96]

5 years

0.77

[0.65–0.90]

6 years

0.67

[0.56–0.80]

Medical conditions

Asthma

No

1

Yes

1.28

[1.13–1.46]

Wearing of glasses

No

1

Yes

1.19

[1.03–1.45]

Auditory disorders

No

1

Yes

1.23

[1.03–1.46]

At least one surgical intervention

No

1

Yes

1.12

[1.02–1.22]

Long term medication use

No

1

Yes

1.26

[1.06–1.49]

Under homeopathic treatment

No

1

Yes

1.13

[1.03–1.23]

Advice from a pharmacist within the last 12 months

No

1

Yes

1.14

[1.05–1.24]

Parental characteristics

Occupation

Disadvantaged

1

Moderately advantaged

0.85

[0.75–0.96]

Advantaged

0.87

[0.75–1.02]

Annual family income

< 14 000 €

1

14 000 to 19 999 €

0.86

[0.73–1.01]

20 000 to 29 999 €

0.80

[0.68–0.94]

30 000 to 39 999 €

0.87

[0.76–0.99]

≥ 40 000 €

0.80

[0.64–0.99]

Parental stress level

1.03

[1.01–1.05]

* Adjusted on other health information sources (dictionary, press, books and television), characteristics of the child (birth order, gender, medical conditions – preterm infant, hospitalisation after birth, allergy, behavioral disorder – frequency of administrating over the counter drugs without medical advice) and parental characteristics (age, single parent, education level and place of residence).

Bouche and Migeot BMC Public Health 2008 8:300   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-300