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Antibiotic prescribing practice for acute, uncomplicated respiratory tract infections in primary care settings in N ew D elhi, I ndia
Author(s) -
Kotwani Anita,
Holloway Kathleen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12327
Subject(s) - medicine , antibiotics , respiratory tract infections , cephalosporin , sore throat , defined daily dose , pediatrics , surgery , medical prescription , microbiology and biotechnology , pharmacology , respiratory system , biology
Abstract Objective To obtain information on prescribing rates and choice of antibiotics for acute, uncomplicated respiratory tract infections ( RTI s) in the community. Methods Antibiotic use in acute, uncomplicated RTI s consisting of common cold/sore throat/cough for not more than five days was surveyed in the community (December 2007–November 2008) using patient exit interviews at public and private facilities from four localities in New Delhi. Data were collected from 10 public sector facilities and 20 private clinics over one year. The percentage of acute, uncomplicated RTI s patients receiving antibiotics in general and using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification and the Defined Daily Dose ( ATS / DDD ) were analysed. Results At public and private facilities, 45% (746/1646) and 57% (259/457) of acute, uncomplicated RTI patients were prescribed at least one antibiotic, respectively. The main antibiotic class calculated as percentage of total antibiotics DDD s/1000 prescribed to acute, uncomplicated RTI patients at private clinics was cephalosporins, J01 DA (39%), followed by fluoroquinolones, J01 MA (24%), penicillins, J01C (19%) and macrolides, J01 FA (15%). Newer members from each class were prescribed; older antibiotics such as co‐trimoxazole or tetracyclines were rarely prescribed. At public facilities, the main class of antibiotic prescribed was penicillins (31%), followed by macrolides (25%), fluoroquinolones (20%) and cephalosporins (10%). Conclusions Study clearly shows overuse and inappropriate choice of antibiotics for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated RTI s which are mainly due to virus and do not require antibiotic treatment. Results of the study warrant interventional strategies to promote rational use of antibiotics to decrease the overgrowing threat of antibiotic resistance.