[Acute otitis media at the Garethabaer Primary Health Care Centre, Iceland in 1990 and 1995. Prevalence and use of antibiotics.].
BACKGROUND
Acute otitis media is a common health problem in Iceland. The prevalence in the urban areas is unknown. Last years, the choice of antibiotics has been widely discussed and clinical guidelines and prices have been used to influence the use of antibiotics.


OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of acute otitis media in an urban setting in Iceland and the use of antibiotics.


METHODS
Children 0-5 years old were studied in a retrospective way. The material from the only health centre in the community was studied by using the computerised health records of 1990 and 1995 where the diagnosis of acute otitis media had been given. The prevalence of acute otitis media was studied as well as prescriptions of antibiotics in 134 randomly selected cases from each year, totally 268 cases.


RESULTS
In the year 199015% of the children younger than one year old were given the diagnosis acute otitis media, 22.4% in 1995. The prevalence was higher among boys. Amoxicillin was the most frequently used drug in both years. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics increased over the period.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute otitis media is one of the most common health problems presented to general practitioners and is the most common reason for antibiotics given to children. The choices of antibiotics seem to be in accordance with the national recommendations.
Bjornsdottir
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Magnusson
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