title: Consumption of antibiotics for community-acquired infections by adults in Greece: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: We studied the rates and characteristics of antibiotics consumption for community-acquired infections in 309 adult patients. Of them, 293 (94.8%) had received at least 1 course of antibiotics during the past year. In total, 419 courses of antibiotics were consumed during the past year, including 285 (68%) following medical examination, 72 (17.2%) following telephone consultation, 30 (7.2%) following suggestion by a pharmacist, and in 16 (3.8%) the antibiotic was available at home. Older age and asthma were significantly associated with a higher risk for antibiotics consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: helen-maltezou@ath.forthnet.gr.
authors.forename: Helena C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Maltezou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Unit, Athens General Hospital "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adamis
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskeui
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsonou
authors.affiliation: Seventh Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Athens Chest General Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moustaka
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katerelos
authors.affiliation: First Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Unit, Athens General Hospital "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gargalianos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Prescription