title: Patterns of antibiotic use in the community in Denmark.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: National Centre of Antimicrobials and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muscat
authors.forename: Dominique L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Monnet
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klemmensen
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grigoryan
authors.forename: Maria Hummelshøj
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Flora M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Haaijer-Ruskamp
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents