title: Regional variations in community consumption of antibiotics in Hungary, 1996-2003.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study regional differences and identify determinants of antibiotic consumption in ambulatory care in Hungary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regional distribution-based antibiotic sales data were converted into a number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitant-days. Correlations were assessed with the Spearman rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were large and stable interregional differences in antibiotic consumption. They were associated with socio-economic determinants, e.g. the population receiving free access to medicines and receiving regular social assistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More detailed studies are needed to better understand the determinants of antibiotic use in these specific patient populations and to identify additional determinants at regional level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Budapest, Hungary. matuz@clph.szote.u-szeged.hu
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matuz
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benko
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doro
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hajdu
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Erzsebet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Dominique L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Monnet
authors.forename: Gyongyver
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soos
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012943:Social Security; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents