Antibiotic Prescribing Behaviour In The Community: A Service Evaluation

ABSTRACT

Background: A service evaluation was conducted to identify any areas for improvement in antibiotic prescribing in the community, and to generate baseline data on antibiotic prescribing. Objectives of study To test whether the specified characteristics of community doctors and patients were significantly associated with increased prescribing frequency; to identify the most frequently prescribed antibiotics; and to identify the most frequently recorded positive signs in patients who had been prescribed antibiotics. Methods: The study included all patients who were prescribed antibiotics at Bandar Seri Begawan Health Centre during public holidays. Study period was 12 months on characteristics of doctors and patients, and 1 month on types of antibiotics and recorded signs. Data was analyzed using Real Statistics software platforming on Microsoft Excel. Results: Antibiotic prescribing was more frequent in expatriate doctors , general clinic , and older patients. The most frequently prescribed oral and topical antibiotics were amoxycillin (54%), and chloramphenicol (32%). The most frequently recorded positive signs in patients with oral and topical antibiotics were tonsillopharyngeal inflammation, and eye or conjunctival inflammation, respectively. Conclusion: The study recommends auditing of antibiotic prescribing in tonsillitis and eye or conjunctival inflammation, and improvement in other identified areas.