Antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections: European primary paediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and
Zachi Grossman1, Stefano del Torso, Adamos Hadjipanayis
1Maccabi Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel. zgrosman@netvision.net.il
Insights
Many European pediatricians overestimate antibiotic benefits for common childhood infections, leading to inappropriate prescribing. Educational interventions are needed to improve antibiotic stewardship for upper respiratory infections (URIs).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Public health
Background:
- Young children receive the most antibiotics in the EU, often for minor upper respiratory infections (URIs).
- Understanding pediatricians' perspectives is crucial to address antibiotic overuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate European pediatricians' views on antibiotic prescribing for URIs.
- To identify factors influencing antibiotic prescribing practices in primary care.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was distributed to European primary care pediatricians and the European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting Network.
- Survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic prescribing for URIs.
Main Results:
- 43.5% of 685 respondents overestimated antibiotic benefits for otitis media and tonsillitis.
- Pediatricians who strongly believed in antibiotic benefits were more likely to be high prescribers.
- Prescribing rates varied based on country-level antimicrobial consumption categories.
Conclusions:
- A significant need exists for educational interventions targeting European pediatricians.
- Interventions should focus on risk-benefit analysis for prescribing antibiotics for minor URIs.
- Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is essential for antimicrobial stewardship.
Aim:
Young children are the highest receivers of antibiotics in the European Union, with the majority of antibiotics given for children with minor upper respiratory infections (URIs). The study aims to examine paediatricians' reported views influencing community antibiotic prescribing.
Methods:
European primary care paediatricians and participants of the European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting Network were asked to complete a Web-based survey on knowledge, attitudes and practice of antibiotic prescribing for URIs.
Results:
The survey was completed by 685 respondents from 21 countries, 397 network participants (response rate 65%) and 288 paediatricians. Overall, 43.5% of respondents overestimated the risks associated with not prescribing antibiotics and the clinical benefit of antibiotics in otitis media and tonsillitis (strong believers in the benefits of antibiotics phenotype). Strong believers are also more likely to be high prescribers of antibiotics. Paediatricians from a low or medium European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption country category prescribe less antibiotics than those from a higher category.
Conclusion:
There is a clear need for an educational intervention focused on European primary care paediatricians based on the risk-benefit analysis associated with the antibiotic prescribing for minor URIs, to reduce inappropriate prescribing.
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