Abstract
This study was carried out in the northern region of Saudi Arabia during 1419 AH (1998 AD). A random sample of 1200 prescriptions was analysed to determine the magnitude of factors associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) and their treatment. ARI were diagnosed in more than one-third of the prescriptions analysed, of which upper respiratory infections accounted for 65.8%, and pneumonia less than 1%. The prevalence of ARI was significantly higher in urban areas, among children, among males and during the colder seasons of the year. Antibiotics were prescribed for 87.8% of patients. This study reinforces the need to implement forthwith the Saudi national programme for diagnosis and treatment of ARI.
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Age Distribution
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Community Health Centers / statistics & numerical data*
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Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data
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Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
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National Health Programs
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Needs Assessment
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Population Surveillance
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
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Prevalence
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Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
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Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
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Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
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Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
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Retrospective Studies
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Risk Factors
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Rural Health / statistics & numerical data
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Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
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Seasons
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Sex Distribution
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Urban Health / statistics & numerical data