Prescribing Patterns for Acute Respiratory Infections in Children in Primary Health Care Centers, Makkah Al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major public health problem and one of the commonest reasons for visiting primary health care centers (PHC). In developing countries, seventy-five percent of the cases are treated with antibiotics, although the majority are caused by viral infection. Our aim was to observe the pattern of physician practices with respect to ARI, in comparison to WHO protocols and to provide recommendations for health promotion enhancement. The study was conducted in Makkah PHC centers, for 2 months. A total 14 PHC centers were randomly selected. And 908 prescriptions were obtained randomly from general practitioners (GP) and analyzed. We found that males were 522 and females were and 386. Weights were not recorded in 224 (24.7%) cases. In 87 cases (9.6%) no diagnosis was recorded. In 515 (62.34%) of cases, antibiotics were prescribed; most of these cases were of simple common cold, with antibiotics not recommended. To conclude, many physicians in Makkah are not following the WHO guidelines for Acute Respiratory Infection. Educational health programs should be conducted to sensitize the physicians regarding the appropriate method of diagnosis and rational use of antibiotics.

Evaluation of the Clinical Outcome and Cost Analysis of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in the Emergency Department in Saudi Arabia

“…In contrast to the study by Safraz [ 30 ], our study and others showed pediatrics had LRTIs, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The results of this study showed that antibiotics prescribed for 95.2% of visits for ARTI were higher than those previously reported [ 22 , 23 ]. The current study found that penicillin (34.2%), followed by macrolide (32.9%) and cephalosporin (23.8%) were the most common ATBs prescribed for patients with ARTIs.…”

“…In the current study, the prevalence of ARTI in pediatrics affected those age 7 was 30.8%, slightly higher than the prevalence in a previous study, in which RTI prevalence in children less than 5 was 24% [ 24 ]. A study of Al Mukarramah showed that the rate of ARTI in children <5 years was 39.4% [ 23 ], which was higher than our findings. Several reports showed an incidence of RTI among children <5 years ranging from 30% to 40% [ 25 , 28 ]; yet, others found an incidence of 83.2% [ 29 ].…”

“…In our study, ED visits due to ARTI were higher, thus representing 21.8% during the study period. In line with previous research [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] male gender was predominant in our study.…”

“…As per previous studies [ 23 , 25 ], the prevalence of URTIs in our study was higher in pediatric cases than LRTIs. In contrast to the study by Safraz [ 30 ], our study and others showed pediatrics had LRTIs, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…As per previous studies [ 23 , 25 ], the prevalence of URTIs in our study was higher in pediatric cases than LRTIs. In contrast to the study by Safraz [ 30 ], our study and others showed pediatrics had LRTIs, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The results of this study showed that antibiotics prescribed for 95.2% of visits for ARTI were higher than those previously reported [ 22 , 23 ].…”