Inappropriate antibiotic prescription to children with acute respiratory infection in Brazil.
Indian Pediatr
;
2003 Jan; 40(1): 7-12
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-7505
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescription and to describe the types of antibiotics prescribed by health workers to children with acute respiratory infection (ARI).DESIGN:
Cross-sectional survey conducted in 6 state capitals of Brazil.METHODS:
A representative sample of facilities was selected in each state using a cluster sampling method based on the mean number of visits of children less than 5 years of age. In each facility, consultations were observed and children were reassessed following standard guidelines. Health worker s diagnosis and treatment were compared with a gold standard and inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions noted.RESULTS:
1565 children with ARI from 156 health facilities (73% health centers) were included in study. Most children had a common cold (77.5%). Antibiotics were inappropriately prescribed in 9.2% (95% CI 7.8, 10.7) of ARI cases (range 2.8% to 25%). Most frequently prescribed antibiotics were those recommended by the ARI Program. Seventy-six percent of health workers explained to guardians how to use antibiotics at home and 3.9% demonstrated the first dose. Antibiotics were available in 84% of health facilities.CONCLUSION:
Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics varied geographically in Brazil. More training and supervision is needed to decrease it.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Pneumonia
/
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
/
Brazil
/
Humans
/
Cluster Analysis
/
Child, Preschool
/
Acute Disease
/
Cross-Sectional Studies
/
Common Cold
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
/
Practice guideline
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian Pediatr
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
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