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Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhang, HL; Bodinayake, C; Wijayaratne, GB; Jayatissa, P; Piyasiri, DLB; Kurukulasooriya, R; Sheng, T; Nagahawatte, A; Woods, C; Tillekeratne, LG
Published in: BMC Infect Dis
January 21, 2021

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic use is linked to the spread of antimicrobial resistance worldwide, but there are limited systemic data on antibiotic utilization in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic prescription in an ambulatory care setting in Sri Lanka. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Outpatient Department of a public tertiary medical center in Southern Province, Sri Lanka from February to April 2019. Among consecutive outpatients presenting for care, questionnaires were verbally administered to a systematic random sample to capture information about patient demographics, illness characteristics, and visit outcomes. Prescription data were obtained from the outpatient pharmacy's electronic prescribing system. RESULTS: Of 409 surveyed patients, 146 (35.7%) were prescribed an antibiotic. The most frequently prescribed agents were amoxicillin (41 patients, 28.1% of antibiotic recipients) and first-generation cephalosporins (38, 26.0%). Respiratory indications were the most common reason for antibiotic use, comprising 69 (47.3%) of all antibiotic prescriptions. Antibiotics were prescribed for 66.1% of patients presenting with cough and 78.8% of those presenting with rhinorrhea or nasal congestion. Among all antibiotic recipients, 6 (4.1%) underwent diagnostic studies. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of antibiotic prescription was observed, in particular for treatment of respiratory conditions. These data support the need for improved antimicrobial stewardship in the Sri Lankan outpatient setting.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

BMC Infect Dis

DOI

EISSN

1471-2334

Publication Date

January 21, 2021

Volume

21

Issue

1

Start / End Page

97

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • Sri Lanka
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases
  • Prevalence
  • Prescriptions
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Outpatients
  • Middle Aged
  • Microbiology
 

Citation

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Zhang, H. L., Bodinayake, C., Wijayaratne, G. B., Jayatissa, P., Piyasiri, D. L. B., Kurukulasooriya, R., … Tillekeratne, L. G. (2021). Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses. BMC Infect Dis, 21(1), 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-05804-6
Zhang, Helen L., Champica Bodinayake, Gaya B. Wijayaratne, Pasangi Jayatissa, DL Bhagya Piyasiri, Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Tianchen Sheng, Ajith Nagahawatte, Christopher Woods, and L Gayani Tillekeratne. “Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses.BMC Infect Dis 21, no. 1 (January 21, 2021): 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-05804-6.
Zhang HL, Bodinayake C, Wijayaratne GB, Jayatissa P, Piyasiri DLB, Kurukulasooriya R, et al. Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jan 21;21(1):97.
Zhang, Helen L., et al. “Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses.BMC Infect Dis, vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 2021, p. 97. Pubmed, doi:10.1186/s12879-021-05804-6.
Zhang HL, Bodinayake C, Wijayaratne GB, Jayatissa P, Piyasiri DLB, Kurukulasooriya R, Sheng T, Nagahawatte A, Woods C, Tillekeratne LG. Point-prevalence survey of outpatient antibiotic prescription at a tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka: opportunities to improve prescribing practices for respiratory illnesses. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jan 21;21(1):97.
Journal cover image

Published In

BMC Infect Dis

DOI

EISSN

1471-2334

Publication Date

January 21, 2021

Volume

21

Issue

1

Start / End Page

97

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • Sri Lanka
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases
  • Prevalence
  • Prescriptions
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Outpatients
  • Middle Aged
  • Microbiology