Antibiotics Overuse in Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Saudi Arabia: Risk Factors and Potential Interventions

SUMMARYStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the adenoids and nasopharynx in 103 preschool children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections was examined. Bacterial interactions and risk factors for bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx and adenoids, separately, were analysed statistically. The prevalence of simultaneous isolation from both anatomical sites was 45·6% for S. pneumoniae, 29·1% for H. influenzae, 15·5% for M. catarrhalis and 18·4% for S. aureus. Three pathogens were significantly more frequent together from adenoid samples; nasopharyngeal swabs more often yielded a single organism, but without statistical significance. M. catarrhalis and S. aureus significantly more frequently co-existed with S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae than with each other and a positive association of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in adenoid samples was evident. Several differences between risk factors for nasopharyngeal and adenoid colonization by the individual pathogens were observed. We conclude that the adenoids and nasopharynx appear to differ substantially in colonization by pathogenic microbes but occurrence of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx could be predictive of upper respiratory tract infections.

Download Full-text

Risk Factors for Adverse Postoperative Outcomes in Children Presenting for Cardiac Surgery with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Survey of Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/01.sa.0000108441.59995.3c ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 21-22

Author(s):

Charlotte Bell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Postoperative Outcomes ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Download Full-text

Risk Factors of Antibiotic Misuse for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Results from a Cross-Sectional Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Study in Greece

ISRN Pediatrics ◽

10.5402/2012/685302 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sotiria G. Panagakou ◽

Vassiliki Papaevangelou ◽

Adamos Chadjipanayis ◽

George A. Syrogiannopoulos ◽

Maria Theodoridou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Low Income ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Background. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. The cause of URTIs is usually viral, but parents’ attitudes often contribute to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, promoting antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to identify possible risk factors associated with antibiotic misuse in Greece, a country with high levels of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Methods. A knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) questionnaire was developed and distributed to Greek parents caring for children who were 5-6 years old, between January and July of the same school year. Results. The sample of the study contained 5312 parents from all geographic areas of Greece. The risk factors of being a father, having low education, having immigrant status, being a single parent, having low income, having <2 or >3 children, living in the islands, and being without experience in recurrent URTIs were significantly associated to inadequate knowledge, inappropriate attitudes, and wrong practices. Conclusions. This study has identified the main groups of parents that should be targeted in future intervention programs.

Download Full-text