Impact of national protocol on managment of acute respiratory infections in children

Objective: To measure the impact of implementation of the national protocol on the prescribing patterns for acute respiratory infections among childre n attending a large primary health care center in Abha City. Method: This study was carried out during December of 1997 and February of 1998 in Abha City, Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One quarter of the prescriptions which were issued in those 2 months were selected randomly a nd assessed for age, sex, diagnosis and the prescribed drugs before and aft er intensive training of the primary health care physicians on the implemen tation of the national protocol for acute respiratory infections. Results: One hundred and forty five and 123 prescriptions were selected and assessed pre and post the implementation of this protocol. Our findings sh owed a decrease in the prescription of antibiotics from 53% to 33%, anti-co ugh drugs from 43.5% to 6%, and antihistaminics from 20% to 10%. Conclusion: Training on the national protocol and its implementation will d ecrease the rate of prescribing and misuse of unnecessary drugs such as ant ibiotics, anti-cough and anti-histamines.