Patterns of antibiotic use in the community in Denmark.
A cross-sectional descriptive population survey was conducted in 2003 to examine epidemiological characteristics of antibiotic use in the community in Denmark and particularly in the area of self-medication with antibiotics. Self-medication with antibiotics was rare in Denmark. 97% of antibiotics used were obtained after a medical consultation. While the existing legal framework preventing over-the-counter dispensation of antibiotics must be maintained, our results show that, in Denmark, interventions to optimize antibiotic use should primarily focus on the prescribers.
Muscat
Mark
M
National Centre of Antimicrobials and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Monnet
Dominique L
DL
Klemmensen
Thomas
T
Grigoryan
Larissa
L
Jensen
Maria Hummelshøj
MH
Andersen
Morten
M
Haaijer-Ruskamp
Flora M
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents