ABSTRACT
Recent studies reveal that a high percentage [over 50%] of episodes for upper respiratory tract infections [URTIs] are treated with antibiotics, regardless of appropriateness or the necessity for prescription. We identified antibiotic prescriptions in a primary health care centre [PHC] and evaluated their suitability for sore throat infections. We also explored whether symptoms, signs, diagnosis and antibiotics prescribed differed by gender. We collected data on all patients visiting the centre over a period of 12 weeks with a main complaint of sore throat who were prescribed antibiotics after taking a blood count and throat culture. Patients older than 16 years of age were included in the study irrespective of sex, nationality, marital status, occupation or location of residence. The chi square [