Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 115 (1997)Pattern of Use of Antimicrobials in Al-AinStudent Authors: Ahmed Hussian Ahmed Al-ZarouniFaculty Supervisors: Dr. M.M. HossainAbstract:Objectives To determine the pattern of use and/or misuse of antimicrobials in Al Aincity and the magnitude of the misuse and to set appropriate recommendations.Methods This is a retrospective descriptive study which covers 484 cases who attended4 primary health care clinics in Al Ain city. These cases were all diagnosed as havingmicrobial infections categorized as URTI, ENT, common cold, skin infections, diarrhea,bronchitis and eye infections. In a few cases antimicrobials were prescribed withoutjustification.Results The percentage of cases given antimicrobials for each diagnosis category was81.4% for URTI, 91.1% for ENT, 25.7% for common cold, 46.9% for diarrhea, 86.7%for bronchitis and 6 cases had antimicrobials without mentioning the cause. Since allof the above mentioned infections are mostly considered as viral, it was not justifiableto use antimicrobials in such a high percentage of cases. This findings indicate thatthere is a misuse of these drugs in Al Ain as reported in populations in other countries.Conclusion Antimicrobials are misused in PHC in Al Ain.Recommendations To follow the policy of MOH and to do routine antimicrobials usesurveillance to detect changes in the future.