Antibiotic Prescribing Behaviour In The Community: A Service Evaluation

ABSTRACT

Background: A service evaluation was conducted to identify any areas for improvement in antibiotic prescribing in the community, and to generate baseline data on antibiotic prescribing. Objectives of study: To test whether the specified characteristics of community doctors and patients were significantly associated with increased prescribing frequency; to identify the most frequently prescribed antibiotics; and to identify the most frequently recorded positive signs in patients who had been prescribed antibiotics. Methods: The study included all patients who were prescribed antibiotics at Bandar Seri Begawan Health Centre during public holidays. Study period was 12 months on characteristics of doctors and patients, and 1 month on types of antibiotics and recorded signs. Data was analyzed using Real Statistics software platforming on Microsoft Excel. Results: Antibiotic prescribing was more frequent in expatriate doctors , general clinic , and older patients. The most frequently prescribed oral and topical antibiotics were amoxycillin (54%), and chloramphenicol (32%). The most frequently recorded positive signs in patients with oral and topical antibiotics were tonsillopharyngeal inflammation, and eye or conjunctival inflammation, respectively. Conclusion: The study recommends auditing of antibiotic prescribing in tonsillitis and eye or conjunctival inflammation, and improvement in other identified areas.