Research published in the current issue of The Medical Journal of Australia points to the emergence of a generation of Australian children who are generally well vaccinated and are less likely to present to GPs with 'traditional' childhood illnesses.

Co-author of the research, Associate Professor Helena Britt, and her colleagues from the Family Medicine Research Centre at the University of Sydney, investigated changes in childhood illness and treatment in Australian general practice by comparing data on problems managed by GPs from three surveys spanning three decades.

"Problems with significantly higher management rates in 2000-01 compared with 1990-91 include vaccination and contact/allergic dermatitis," A/Professor Britt said.

"Those managed significantly less often include acute otitis media, asthma, tonsillitis and acute bronchitis.

"Gastroenteritis was also managed less often in 2000-01, possibly due to improved hygiene education and stricter controls on childcare facilities and food outlets.

"Asthma management rates rose from 2.4 per cent of all problems managed in 1971 to 7.2 per cent in 1990-91, then fell in 2000-01 to 4.6 per cent. More effective management and the availability of asthma medication at pharmacies may have contributed to this pattern.

"More frequent counselling and advice in 2000-01 were associated with a decrease in prescribing and supply of medication. Also noted was a swing away from certain older drug types in favour of newer medications.

"Antibiotic prescribing declined significantly, possibly reflecting the trend away from antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections. Prescribing of respiratory medications also declined significantly.

"Prescribing of vaccines doubled, as a result of structured public health initiatives and the introduction of new vaccines.

"Our study has some limitations but it shows that Australian children are now more likely to visit a GP for prophylactic treatment and less likely to be treated for 'traditional childhood conditions'.

"They are also much less likely to receive medication and more likely to receive advice and counselling for their problems," A/Professor Britt said.

CONTACT                 A/Professor Helena Britt           041 1197938/ 02 9845 8150

                              Judith TOKLEY, AMA            0408 824 306 / 02 6270 5471