Abstract
Background: Overprescription of antibiotics is a continuing problem in primary care. This study aims to assess the antibiotic prescribing rates and antibiotic choices for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) in Malaysian primary care. Method: Antibiotic prescribing data for URTI and UTI was extracted from a morbidity survey of randomly selected primary care clinics in Malaysia. Results: Analysis was performed of 1163 URTI and 105 UTI encounters. Antibiotic prescribing rates for URTI and UTI were 33.8% and 57.1% respectively. Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher in private clinics compared to public clinics for URTI, but not for UTI. In URTI encounters, the majority of antibiotics prescribed were penicillins and macrolides, but penicillin V was notably underused. In UTI encounters, the antibiotics prescribed were predominantly penicillins or cotrimoxazole. Discussion: Greater effort is needed to bring about evidence based antibiotic prescribing in Malaysian primary care, especially for URTIs in private clinics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 325-329 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Australian Family Physician |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - May 2011 |
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Keywords
- Antibiotics
- Drug
- Evidence based medicine
- General practice
- Guideline
- Prescriptions
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Urinary tract infection
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Family Practice
Cite this
Antibiotics for URTI and UTI : Prescribing in Malaysian primary care settings. / Teng, Cheong Lieng; Seng Fah, Tong; Khoo, Ee Ming; Lee, Verna; Zailinawati, Abu Hassan; Mimi, Omar; Chen, Wei Seng; Nordin, Salleh.
In: Australian Family Physician, Vol. 40, No. 5, 05.2011, p. 325-329.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Antibiotics for URTI and UTI
T2 - Prescribing in Malaysian primary care settings
AU - Teng, Cheong Lieng
AU - Seng Fah, Tong
AU - Khoo, Ee Ming
AU - Lee, Verna
AU - Zailinawati, Abu Hassan
AU - Mimi, Omar
AU - Chen, Wei Seng
AU - Nordin, Salleh
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - Background: Overprescription of antibiotics is a continuing problem in primary care. This study aims to assess the antibiotic prescribing rates and antibiotic choices for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) in Malaysian primary care. Method: Antibiotic prescribing data for URTI and UTI was extracted from a morbidity survey of randomly selected primary care clinics in Malaysia. Results: Analysis was performed of 1163 URTI and 105 UTI encounters. Antibiotic prescribing rates for URTI and UTI were 33.8% and 57.1% respectively. Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher in private clinics compared to public clinics for URTI, but not for UTI. In URTI encounters, the majority of antibiotics prescribed were penicillins and macrolides, but penicillin V was notably underused. In UTI encounters, the antibiotics prescribed were predominantly penicillins or cotrimoxazole. Discussion: Greater effort is needed to bring about evidence based antibiotic prescribing in Malaysian primary care, especially for URTIs in private clinics.
AB - Background: Overprescription of antibiotics is a continuing problem in primary care. This study aims to assess the antibiotic prescribing rates and antibiotic choices for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) in Malaysian primary care. Method: Antibiotic prescribing data for URTI and UTI was extracted from a morbidity survey of randomly selected primary care clinics in Malaysia. Results: Analysis was performed of 1163 URTI and 105 UTI encounters. Antibiotic prescribing rates for URTI and UTI were 33.8% and 57.1% respectively. Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher in private clinics compared to public clinics for URTI, but not for UTI. In URTI encounters, the majority of antibiotics prescribed were penicillins and macrolides, but penicillin V was notably underused. In UTI encounters, the antibiotics prescribed were predominantly penicillins or cotrimoxazole. Discussion: Greater effort is needed to bring about evidence based antibiotic prescribing in Malaysian primary care, especially for URTIs in private clinics.
KW - Antibiotics
KW - Drug
KW - Evidence based medicine
KW - General practice
KW - Guideline
KW - Prescriptions
KW - Upper respiratory tract infection
KW - Urinary tract infection
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79959571812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 21597554
AN - SCOPUS:79959571812
VL - 40
SP - 325
EP - 329
JO - Australian Family Physician
JF - Australian Family Physician
SN - 0300-8495
IS - 5
ER -