J Korean Med Sci.  2012 Feb;27(2):120-127. 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.2.120.

Factors Affecting the Prescribing Patterns of Antibiotics and Injections

• Choi KH
• Park SM
• Lee JH
• Kwon S

• KMID: 1120147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.2.120

Abstract

There are serious problems concerning the inadequate prescription of antibiotics and overuse of injections in primary care. However, the determinants of prescription patterns in Korea are not well-documented. To examine the area characteristics affecting the prescription of antibiotics and injections in primary care practices in the treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), a nationwide cross-sectional study was performed in all 250 administrative districts of Korea. The outcome was modeled as a binary variable: over-prescription or not compared with the nation-wide average. Over-prescription of antibiotics was associated with the ratio of specialists to general physicians and over-prescription in previous years in the area (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-14.8; and aOR, 12.0; 95% CI 5.5-25.9, respectively). Over-use of injections was associated with younger population, urban living and the number of hospital beds in the area (aOR, 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.4; aOR, 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.8; and aOR, 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; respectively). There were differences in the prescribing patterns in different districts; prescription patterns were affected more by supply factors than by demand factors. Highly competitive medical environment associated with supply factors is a significant determinant of prescription patterns in Korea.

Keyword

Primary Care; Antibiotics; Injections; Prescription Pattern

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hospitals
Humans
Inappropriate Prescribing
Male
Odds Ratio
*Physician's Practice Patterns
Primary Health Care
Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Theoretical model regarding prescribing pattern of antibiotics and injected medications.

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  Fig. 2 Area distribution of over-prescription or not over-prescription of antibiotics.

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  Fig. 3 Area distribution of over-prescription or not over-prescription of injected medications.

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