Medical Principles and Practice

Original Paper

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Pattern of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Physicians’ Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in Bahrain

Senok A.C.a · Ismaeel A.Y.b · Al-Qashar F.A.c · Agab W.A.c

Author affiliations

aDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; bDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, and cBahrain Defence Force Hospital, West Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain

Corresponding Author

Dr. Abiola C. Senok

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine

University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272

Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)

Tel. +971 6 505 7220, Fax +971 6 558 5879, E-Mail asenok@sharjah.ac.ae

Keywords: Upper respiratory tract infectionsAntibiotic prescriptionBahrain

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Med Princ Pract 2009;18:170–174
https://doi.org/10.1159/000204345

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the pattern of antibiotic prescriptions for paediatric upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and determine the associated predictors for such antibiotic use in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Subjects and Methods: From March 2005 to March 2006, demographic data, clinical presentation, investigations and antibiotic prescription for children with URTI (n = 184) at the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital was recorded. To assess the factors which influence physician antibiotic prescription for URTI, a cross-sectional survey of doctors was carried out using a pre-tested questionnaire which was administered to paediatricians, general practitioners and emergency room physicians. Results: Antibiotics were given to 95 of the 184 (51.6%) patients, mainly children <3 years (40/95). Significant association was demonstrated for antibiotic prescription, age and diagnosis of tonsillitis or acute otitis media (p < 0.05). Amoxicillin (37/95) was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, followed by β-lactam/β-lactamase combination and second-generation cephalosporins. Fever, younger age, sore throat and presence of earache increased the likelihood of antibiotic prescription. Data from the cross-sectional survey of doctors revealed that lack of national guidelines, parental pressure and diagnostic uncertainty contributed to antibiotic overuse. Conclusion: Antibiotic overuse for the treatment of paediatric URTI remains a problem in our setting. We suggest the development of national guidelines which are integrated with structured continuing medical education courses, public awareness campaigns and the introduction of rapid streptococcal antigen tests in the outpatient clinic.

© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel



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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Received: May 12, 2008
Published online: April 06, 2009
Issue release date: April 2009

Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 1011-7571 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0151 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/MPP

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2009, Vol.18, No. 3

April 2009

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