Antibiotic usage in primary care units in Taiwan
Journal
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
1
Pages
23-30
Date Issued
1999
Author(s)
Abstract
To understand the situation of antibiotic usage in primary care units in Taiwan, we collected all prescriptions over a 1 week period during March 2 to March 7, 1992, December 2 to December 7, 1992, and January 14 to January 19, 1994 from out-patient clinics of public health stations located in various parts of Taiwan. In the first time period 60 health stations were sampled, 18 350 patient-visits made and 23 674 diagnoses recorded. In the second time period 168 health stations were sampled, 84 143 patient-visits made and 96 528 diagnoses recorded. In the third time period 173 health stations were sampled with 85 623 patient-visits and 105 132 diagnoses recorded. The percentages of total patient-visits that resulted in antibiotic treatment were 16.7, 13.5 and 12.4% in the three time periods, respectively. The patient group under the age of 11 received the highest percentage of antibiotic treatment. The percentage of patient-visits that resulted in treatment with two or more types of antibiotics decreased from 25.4% in March, 1992 to 13.2% in January, 1994. Common cold was the most frequent diagnosis in patients receiving antibiotic therapy during the three time periods and accounted for 36.9% of total antibiotic prescriptions. Of the patients with the diagnosis of common cold, 29.7% received antibiotic treatment, of whom the largest group were paediatric patients (<16 years). Penicillins, macrolides and cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics and accounted for 34.0, 21.8 and 21.3% of all prescribed antibiotics in the three study periods. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.
Subjects
Antibiotic survey; Antibiotic usage; Primary care unit
SDGs
Other Subjects
aminoglycoside; antibiotic agent; cephalosporin derivative; chloramphenicol; macrolide; penicillin derivative; quinoline derived antiinfective agent; rifampicin; sulfonamide; tetracycline derivative; trimethoprim; adolescent; adult; aged; antibiotic therapy; article; bronchitis; child; common cold; cystitis; drug use; human; influenza; laryngitis; newborn; pharyngitis; prescription; primary medical care; priority journal; Taiwan; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Utilization Review; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Primary Health Care; Taiwan
Type
journal article