Antibiotic consumption patterns and drug leftovers in 6000 Brazilian households

Worldwide data indicate that antibiotics are frequently used indiscriminate ly. Phe present study used a questionnaire in an attempt to quantify and qu alify outpatient antibiotic consumption habits, including when the drug was used, who recommended it, and to what extent treatment was completed, and to question householders on the presence of antibiotics in their homes, inc luding leftovers from previous treatments. The questionnaire was distribute d to residents of 6000 households that made up a representative sample of t he Brazilian population and was completed by designated respondents from 49 32 residences (82.2%) with or without field interviewer supervision. Each h ousehold reported an average of 3.7 treatments in the previous year, with a moxicillin the most frequently used antibiotic in this survey (18%), regard less of socioeconomic class. Most treatments were recommended through medic al prescription, and this source of antibiotic was associated with the high est rate of completed therapy (80.4%). Azithromycin and ciprofloxacin produ ced the highest rates of completed treatment and the lowest rates of antibi otic leftovers. Storing antibiotics at home increases the cost of each trea tment event, reduces efficacy, and may encourage the emergence of resistant organisms in the community. Educational efforts must be redoubled to promo te the rational and effective use of drugs, especially antibiotics.