Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2019, Pages 44 - 49

Antibiotic Prescribing Rate in Lebanese Community Pharmacies: A Nationwide Patient-Simulated Study of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis

Authors
Sally G. Yaacoub1, *, ‡, Nathalie A. Lahoud1, 2, 3, 4, Nicole J. Francis1, Deema W. Rahme5, Tony H. Murr6, Patrick F. Maison2, 7, 8, 9, †, Nadine G. Saleh1, 2, 3, 4, †
1Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
2CERIPH, Center for Research in Public Health – Pharmacoepidemiology Surveillance Unit, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
3INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
4Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
5Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
6Department of Medicine, Middle East Institute of Health, Bsalim, Lebanon
7Direction de la Surveillance, ANSM, F-93100 Saint Denis, France
8IST-PE, CHIC, F-94000 Créteil, France
9EA 7379 EpidermE, Université Paris-Est Créteil, UPEC, Créteil F-94010, France
†

These two authors contributed equally to this study.

‡

Present address: Doctoral School of Public Health, Paris-Est University, Créteil, France

*Corresponding author. Email: Sally.yaacoub@gmail.com
Corresponding Author
Sally G. Yaacoub
Received 4 July 2018, Accepted 3 January 2019, Available Online 27 March 2019.
DOI
10.2991/jegh.k.190305.001How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance; bacterial rhinosinusitis; community pharmacists
Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the antibiotic prescribing rate for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in community pharmacies and to study the corresponding attitude and behavior of participants. A cross-sectional, nationwide study was conducted using a patient-simulated case of bacterial rhinosinusitis. Descriptive data were reported for the medications prescribed, questions asked, and recommendations made. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors affecting the aforementioned. Out of the 250 community pharmacies visited, 77 (30.8%) prescribed antibiotics, 15 (6%) referred the patient to a physician, and 79 (32%) made the right diagnosis. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (69.7%) was the most prescribed antibiotic. The majority of the participants prescribed antibiotics according to guidelines. Overall, 108 (43.2%) participants questioned about symptoms and few questioned about patient age, pregnancy, and history of rhinosinusitis. None counseled about interactions or in case a dose is missed. We concluded that antibiotics are easily prescribed in Lebanese community pharmacies. This misuse should be tackled by legislative authorities to restrict such practices.

Copyright
© 2019 Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Download article (PDF)
View full text (HTML)

<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
9 - 1
Pages
44 - 49
Publication Date
2019/03/27
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.2991/jegh.k.190305.001How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2019 Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Sally G. Yaacoub
AU  - Nathalie A. Lahoud
AU  - Nicole J. Francis
AU  - Deema W. Rahme
AU  - Tony H. Murr
AU  - Patrick F. Maison
AU  - Nadine G. Saleh
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/03/27
TI  - Antibiotic Prescribing Rate in Lebanese Community Pharmacies: A Nationwide Patient-Simulated Study of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 44
EP  - 49
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.190305.001
DO  - 10.2991/jegh.k.190305.001
ID  - Yaacoub2019
ER  -