Use of antibiotics for asthma attacks in Egyptian children | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology | ||
| Article 4, Volume 16, Issue 2, October 2018, Pages 41-44 PDF (144.01 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejpa.2018.30635 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Nihal El Rifai* 1; Hoda Rizk2 | ||
| 1Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt | ||
| 2Departments of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Bacterial infection plays a negligible role in pediatric acute asthma attacks. However, many patients are treated empirically with antibiotics. Objective: This study attempted to investigate the problem of antibiotic usage as a part of treatment of acute asthma among children living in Egypt. Methods: The current exploratory study included a random sample of 300 children visiting the allergy clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University from September 2016 to September 2017. A study researcher applied a validated questionnaire to the child's parents about usage of antibiotics. Results: Most families belonged to the low or middle social class. About 65.7% of children had sub-optimal asthma control, 73.7% experienced acute attacks, with over half of them (51%) receiving antibiotics; 41.8% of those who received antibiotics were self-medicated. Over 90% reused previous prescriptions. Main single reasons for resorting to self-medication were to save money and the assumption that previous prescriptions can be reused. About 45.3% expressed intention to employ self-medication in the future. Low social class was associated with significantly higher odds of resorting to self-medication (odds ratio=3.32; p=0.05). Conclusion: A remarkable antibiotic use was detected among children who had acute asthma, a large proportion of which was without medical consultation. Family social class was an independent predictor for adopting self-medication. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Asthma; attacks; antibiotics; Egyptian; children | ||
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