Survey on the use of antibiotics in acute respiratory infections in the Mexican rural population
Gutiérrez, G.; Martínez, M.C.; Guiscafré, H.; Gómez, G.; Peniche, A.; Muñoz, O.
Boletin Medico del Hospital Infantil de Mexico 43(12): 761-768
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0539-6115 PMID: 3814324 Document Number: 270090
In order to study antimicrobial-prescribing patterns used by physicians in the Mexican rural area, in cases of acute respiratory infections, 8002 medical prescriptions were analyzed within one-year-period among 1359 families, in 137 rural and semi-rural communities, distributed all over the country. All were characterized by having a Medical Unit of the I.M.S.S.-C.O.P.L.A.M.A.R. Program based on a list of essential drugs for prescription and with guaranteed availability. One drug was prescribed in at least 87.0% of the cases, 48.6% received antibiotic treatment, 49.3% was treated with an antihistaminic and 69.8% ingested an antithermic drug. Frequency in the use of these drugs varied in each clinical syndrome. The most used antibiotics were bencilic penicillin (54.7%) eritromicin (17.1%) and, ampicillin (14.8%); all of them are included in the official list of essential drugs. Ninety five point three per cent of the cases cured, 4.6% became chronic and, 0.1% died. Lethality in pneumonias was 4.4%. These rates can be considered satisfactory, mainly because the studied rural population had appropriate access to medical services. On the other hand, it is commented the possible causes about the unjustified use of drugs. A therapeutic scheme for the prescription of these drugs in proposed for daily medical practice.