Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ANTIBIOTICS USE FOR UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS IN JAZAN REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

Ismail Somily*, Fatimah Shajri, Abdulrahman Shajri, Hamzah Atiah, Awatif Mahbub, Ali Shaikh, Essa Alkubeshi, Aishah Mahbub, Khayrah Hazazi, Salihah Hazazi, Ibrahim Burayk, Fatimah Madkhali, Ibrahim Sumayli, Maram Darbashi, Aminah Alareash, Aishah Hendi, Enas Yahya and Zahra Muqri

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Abstract

Background: Physicians’ knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic prescription is fundamental for controlling the antibiotic use. Objectives: This study evaluates primary health care (PHC) physicians’ knowledge and practices regarding antibiotics use in upper respiratory tract infections. Methods: After approval from Institute Ethical Committee and informed consent from the participant, the present study was conducted among PHC physicians. A selfadministered questionnaire based on knowledge and practice regarding antibiotics use in upper respiratory tract infections was used to collect data. Results: our result revealed that 24.4% of PHC physicians had poor knowledge about antibiotics use in upper respiratory tract infections, additionally about half of them (48.8%) had poor practice towards antibiotics use for upper respiratory tract infections. The distribution of PHC physicians’ knowledge and practices did not significantly vary according to age, gender, and years of experience. Recommendation: Therefore, We recommended a Continuous medical education supported with evidence based medicine skills will improve physicians antibiotics prescriptions and enhance the possibilities of good management outcomes among patients.

Keywords: Physician, Knowledge, Practices, Antibiotic, Prescription.