Prescription Pattern of Antibiotics for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Shah Alam, Malaysia Kumar Kavitha Ashok1, Khisam Mohammad Rafiq Bin Baderu2, Jeppu Ashok Kumar3,* 1Head of the Unit Otorhinolaryngology, International Medical School, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia 2BMS, International Medical School, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia 3Associate Professor and Head of the Unit Biochemistry, International Medical School, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia *Corresponding author: Ashok Kumar Jeppu, Associate Professor, Head of the Unit, International Medical School, Management and Science University University drive, Shah Alam, 40100, Malaysia, E-mail: drashokkumarj@mail.com
Online published on 8 March, 2019. Abstract Background Upper respiratory infection (URTI) is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract which includes the nose, pharynx and larynx. Most of these infections are viral in origin yet treated often with antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics is a worldwide problem. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in management of URTI among doctors in Shah Alam and to determine the antibiotics most often prescribed for URTI. Material & Method A cross sectional study was conducted at two private hospitals and seven clinics in Shah Alam. A total number of 128 doctors participated in this study. The data was collected through well-structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was done by using descriptive statistics. Result This study showed few prescriptions for antibiotics in treatment of URTI as most of doctors (89%) did not recommended it. Although the number of cases of URTI diagnosed weekly was high, yet most of them were non-bacterial and did not require any drugs. However, most of the doctors interviewed had not attended clinical antibiotic training though they were well aware of the latest Malaysian Antibiotics Guidelines. Amoxycillin was the most prescribed antibiotic in certain cases of URTI which needed antibiotic prescription. Conclusion Most of URTI cases do not require antibiotics for treatment. The prescription pattern of antibiotics in Upper Respiratory Tract Infection showed no difference between the doctors involved in hospitals and clinics. Top Keywords Antibiotics, Upper respiratory tract infection, doctors. Top |