Patient profile and antibiotic use in a dedicated upper respiratory tract infection clinic based in a primary healthcare setting during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A cross sectional study
https://doi.org/10.51866/oa.38
- Author:
Zhi Yin Ooi
1
;
Nurul Abidah Mohd Ghazali
2
;
Nang Juniza Nik Zahari
3
;
Huan Keat Chan
4
;
Norsiah Md Noor
5
;
Noor Liani Harun
6
;
Mohd Firdaus Abu Bakar
7
;
Mohd Redhuan Abdul Muin
8
Author Information
1. MD (UNIMAS) Klinik Kesihatan Taman Universiti, Jalan Kebudayaan 28, Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
2. MD (UMS) Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Km 6, Jln Langgar, Bandar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
3. MB BCh BAO (IRELAND), Doc of Fam Med (UKM) Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Alor Setar, Aras 1 Blok A, Darul Aman Highway, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
4. MSc (USM) Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Km 6, Jln Langgar, Bandar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
5. MBBS (MAL), M.MED (FAMILY MEDICINE) UKM Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Alor Setar, Aras 1 Blok A, Darul Aman Highway, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
6. MBBS (UM), Doc of Fam Med (UKM) Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Alor Setar, Aras 1 Blok A, Darul Aman Highway, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
7. MBBS (IIUM) Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Alor Setar, Aras 1 Blok A, Darul Aman Highway, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
8. MB BCh BAO (IRELAND) Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Alor Setar, Aras 1 Blok A, Darul Aman Highway, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Patient profile;
URTI clinic;
COVID-19;
Primary care;
Antibiotic
- MeSH:
COVID-19;
Primary Health Care;
Anti-Bacterial Agents
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2022;17(3):74-83
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is commonly encountered at the primary care level. Its management is particularly challenging due to the similarity of its symptoms to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Our study evaluated the profiles and antibiotic use of patients seeking care from a dedicated community-based URTI clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients visiting the URTI clinic at the Alor Setar Primary Healthcare Centre between March and April 2020.
Results: Overall, 587/4388 (13.3%) patients received treatment at the URTI clinic. Most patients were male (60.6%) and aged between 20 and 39 years (35.5%). Their most common symptoms were cough (68.4%), fever (31.6%), runny nose (24.6%), and sore throat (24.1%). Most patients were diagnosed with acute nasopharyngitis (52.5%), acute pharyngitis (18.6%), or acute tonsillitis (5.3%). The symptomatic medication prescription rate was 96.5%. Only 26 of the 435 patients diagnosed with URTI received antibiotics, yielding an antibiotic use rate of only 6.0% for URTI relative to overall drug use. Acute tonsillitis was more common in children <12 years old (p<0.001), while a cough and runny nose were more commonly indicative of acute nasopharyngitis than other conditions (p<0.001). Sore throat was more likely to be a symptom of acute pharyngitis (p<0.001) and acute tonsillitis (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings suggest that patients with URTI-like symptoms were properly managed, and the rate of antibiotic usage remained reasonable.
- Full text:2025082013133438929v17n3-OA-Patient-profile-and-antibiotic-use.pdf
