A community-based intervention to reduce antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in regional South Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based and GP-based intervention in reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) including sore throats, sinusitis and otitis media.


METHODS
Analysis of pharmacy dispensing data in June to October before (2000) and after (2001) the intervention, which commenced on 25 June 2001.


METHODS
Local consumers, health professionals, the Adelaide Southern Division of General Practice, the South Australian Government, and the local media in a rural region of South Australia, covering about 2000 square kilometres, with a population of over 20 000.


METHODS
Community dissemination of consumer information on antibiotic use for URTIs (including a local media campaign) and education of health professionals (including sessions with general practitioners at the four practices in the study area) on current Australian therapeutic guidelines for antibiotics, and a validated clinical scoring system for decision making in managing sore throat.


METHODS
Total dispensing data from local pharmacies for the months of June to October in 2000 and 2001, covering the six antibiotics considered most likely to be used for URTIs (amoxycillin, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, cefaclor, doxycycline, erythromycin and roxithromycin).


RESULTS
The dispensing of the six antibiotics reduced by 32% overall, from 77.1 to 52.9 defined daily doses per 1000 population per day, with statistically significant reductions in the range of 31%-70% for individual antibiotics; there was no reduction for amoxycillin with or without clavulanic acid.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention was associated with reduced dispensing of unnecessary antibiotics for URTIs.
Dollman
William B
WB
Drug Policies and Programs, South Australian Department of Health, PO Box 287, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. bill.dollman@health.sa.gov.au
LeBlanc
Vanessa T
VT
Stevens
Lynette
L
O'Connor
Peter J
PJ
Turnidge
John D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy; D010594:Pharmacies; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents