Journal
ANTIBIOTICS-BASEL
Volume 11, Issue 11, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111553
Keywords
antibiotics; antibiotic resistance; non-prescribed antibiotics; antibiotic prescriptions; China
Categories
Funding
- UCLA Center for Chinese Studies
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The study revealed a high prevalence of caregivers giving non-prescribed antibiotics to children before medical visits in China. Caregivers with older children and lower education levels were more likely to self-medicate with antibiotics. Caregivers in tier 2 urban districts were most prone to administering non-prescribed antibiotics before medical visits.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious global public health crises. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is an important contributor. Using a cross-sectional survey, we recruited 3056 caregivers from 21 provinces in China to complete a questionnaire pertaining to their most recent medical visits for children's acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) symptoms in October 2013. The findings show that the prevalence of caregivers giving children non-prescribed antibiotics before their medical visit was as high as 38%. Caring for an older child and having lower educational attainment increased the likelihood of self-medication with antibiotics; among Chinese residential areas, caregivers living in tier 2 urban districts were most likely to administer non-prescribed antibiotics before their visit. Physicians' prescribing of antibiotics was significantly associated with caregivers' self-reported pre-visit use of non-prescribed antibiotics. Misuse should be addressed by regulating the sale of antibiotics and improving communication at medical consultations.
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