Evaluation of over prescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections in Children ≤ 12 years old in Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to highlight on in appropriate antibiotic prescribing in URTIs in children in primary healthcare center in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Method This is a cross sectional retrospective study conducted over five month period (November 1, 2018 – March 31, 2017) for children ≤12 year old complaining from URTIs attending Azadi 2 PHCC, Kirkuk, Iraq. Information obtained from registry of the PHCC.

Results Our study sample was (300 patient), there were (n: 152, 51%) females and (n: 148, 49%) males. The most common diagnosis was common cold (n: 120, 40%) then pharyngitis (n: 114, 38%), then tonsillitis (n: 40, 13.3%) then otitis media (n: 21, 7%) and the less common diagnosis was acute sinusitis (n: 5, 1.7%). Combined prescription of  antibiotics with aduvants was the most common finding (n: 256, 85%) while prescreption of adjuvants alone was in the second ranking (n: 42, 14%). Antibiotics prescribed for 89.5% from patients diagnosed with pharyngitis and for 79.2% for patients diagnosed with common cold.

Conclusion Antibiotics over prescription is high in a primary healthcare facility practice. Health authorities should enforce strict control or out rightly stop of antibiotics over prescription to reduce chances of the emergence antibiotics resistance.