Vol. 8, Issue 6 (2019)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to collect the demographic details of the patients and determine the distribution of antibiotics in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection and to measure the percentage of patient compliance.

Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study, conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Rajah Muthiah Medical College Hospital, Chidambaram for a period of six months (November 2017 to April 2018). The study was approved by Institutional Human Ethics Committee. A sample of 120 was collected who were diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection. Demographic details of patients, patients prescribed with antibiotics (%), antibiotic distribution, route of administration, Antibiotic therapy regimen (%), Sequential antimicrobial therapy, patient compliance with SMAQ were recorded.

Results: During this study, 120 pediatric patients were enrolled in which majority were males (69%) than females (31%). Out of 120 prescriptions, 82.5% were prescribed with antibiotics and 17.5% were prescribed without antibiotics. Most of the patients were given Ceftriaxone (17.6%) and the least antibiotic given was Ofloxacin (0.6%). Out of 99 prescriptions, Mono therapies were mostly observed (55.5%), followed by Dual therapies (31.3%) have been observed. Only 20 patients were observed with Sequential Antimicrobial Therapy, in which 11 patients were observed with SAT of IV Clavum to oral (55%), 9 with SAT of Cefotaxime (45%). The patient compliance was measured using SMAQ, in which 64% were compliant.

Conclusions: The study shows that 36% of patients were not compliant towards the therapy, in which 40% of the patient discontinued their medication when they felt better. Patient compliance can be improved with a good relationship between the patient and provider. Antibiotics overuse and misuse emphasizes the need for health care professional’s contribution towards the rational use of antibiotics and educating the patients and society.