[Use of antimicrobial drugs in an urban population].
OBJECTIVE
The emergence of multiresistant microorganisms has been a concerning matter worldwide in the last decades. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has been associated to this phenomenon. The present study was designed to determine the pattern of antimicrobial drug use in an urban community.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out and 6,145 subjects of all ages living in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil, were interviewed on the use of antimicrobial drugs in the 30 days previous to the interview.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of antimicrobial drug use was 8%. It was higher for children under 4 years of age (14%; p<0.001), women (9%; p=0.004) and divorced subjects (10%; p=0.02). The clinical conditions most frequently associated with antimicrobial drug use were respiratory tract infections (50%), urinary tract infections (16%), and dental infections (9%). Penicillins (41%), sulphas (17%), and tetracycline (8%) were the most commonly used drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Abuse of last generation antimicrobial drugs, a concern of many experts, was not confirmed in this study. Antimicrobial drug use could be further reduced as respiratory illnesses, most frequently associated with their use, are often viral and many patients will not benefit from antimicrobial therapy.
Berquó
Laura S
LS
Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
Barros
Aluísio J D
AJ
Lima
Rosângela C
RC
Bertoldi
Andréa D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014505:Urban Population
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents