scholarly journals Updated recommendations for the management of upper respiratory tract infections in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian J Brink ◽  
Mark F Cotton ◽  
Charles Feldman ◽  
Heather Finlayson ◽  
Ray L Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

scholarly journals Unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections in children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1133-1142
Author(s):  
Lehlohonolo John Mathibe ◽  
Nonhle Perseverance Zwane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are contagious diseases of the upper airways, but they are self-limiting in nature. Therefore, antimicrobial-use for the majority of the URTIs is considered inappropriate. Unfortu- nately, globally, antimicrobials are still being prescribed for the treatment of URTIs, especially in children. However, there is insufficient evidence on the causes of this phenomenon in South Africa. Objective: To investigate whether the parents/guardians accompanying children with URTIs expected/influenced physi- cians and/or nurses to prescribe antibiotics. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive and explorative questionnaire-based study. Participants were guardians who accompanied children aged five years and below, diagnosed with acute URTIs. Findings: Three hundred and six parents/guardians participated in this study. Seventy six percent (n=233) of participants received antibiotics for URTIs for their children, and 67% (n=156) of these did not make requests for antimicrobial therapy. On overall, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) chance (with OR of 5.9; 95% CI, 2.4 – 14.2) for receiving antibi- otics for URTIs without a request. Conclusion: Physicians and other healthcare providers need education on rational prescribing of antimicrobials, and to implement evidence-based standard treatment guidelines, to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics in children with self-lim- iting URTIs. Keywords: Antibiotics; antimicrobials; prescribing; upper respiratory tract infections; children.

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