General practitioners’ knowledge, attitude and prescribing of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections in Selangor, Malaysia: findings and implications

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are widely prescribed especially for URTIs. Their irrational use can increase costs and resistance. Aim: Assess knowledge, attitude and prescribing of antibiotics for URTIs in, Selangor, Malaysia using a cross-sectional survey among GPs working in private clinics in 2011. Results: 139 physicians completed the questionnaire (response rate = 34.8%). 49.6% (n=69) agreed antibiotics are helpful in treating URTIs, with most GPs agreeing antibiotics may reduce URTI duration and complications. The majority of GPs reported they felt patients expected antibiotics, with 36.7% (n=51) agreeing patients would change doctors if they did not prescribe antibiotics and 21.6% (n=30) agreeing when requested they prescribe antibiotics even if they believe them unnecessary. When assessed against six criteria, most GPs had a moderate level of knowledge of prescribing for URTIs. However, antibiotic prescriptions could be appreciably reduced. Conclusion: Further programmes are needed to educate GPs and patients about antibiotics building on current initiatives.

Prescribing patterns for upper respiratory tract infections: a prescription-review of primary care practice in Kedah, Malaysia, and the implications

“…We also recently published a study describing the prescribing of antibiotics for patients with URTIs among private physicians in Malaysia [39]. We found that when assessed against antibiotic knowledge assessment criteria, most general practitioners (GPs) had a moderate level of knowledge of prescribing for URTIs.…”

“…However, antibiotic prescriptions could be appreciably reduced as a large number of GPs (85.5%) reported that they could reduce antibiotic prescriptions by more than 25% without jeopardizing the outcome of the URTIs. As a result, helping to reduce future development of antibiotic resistance [39].…”

Antimicrobial Use, Prescribing, and Resistance in Selected Ten Selected Developing Countries: A Brief Overview

“…Furthermore, 84.2% of studied GPs approved that furthermost URTIs are triggered by the virus. In addition, research participants GPs believe that antibiotic resistance is the major public health problem for their own country and globally [52]. Nevertheless, a statistically significant difference (p=0.042) was observed among the responses to the statement "most URTIs are caused by viruses" and GPs years of practice [52].…”

“…One Malaysian study in 2015 reported that most of the Malaysian GPs possess a reasonable level of knowledge about the management of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) nonetheless a minor fraction Haque having an inadequate knowledge regarding URTIs and relevant rational prescribing [52]. Furthermore, 84.2% of studied GPs approved that furthermost URTIs are triggered by the virus.…”

“…Against such background of such positive findings, this research also found some disgraceful findings. On an average, 61.13% of research participants GPs possess erroneous knowledge on the consequence of antibiotic in treating URTIs [52]. A total of 6747 prescriptions were audited in Sarawak, Malaysia and stated that prescriptions for URTIs with antibiotics prescribed were 64.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 63.7%, 65.9%) [53].…”