Trends in prescribing antibiotics for children in Dutch general practice

Objective : To assess changes in antibiotic prescribing patterns for children between 1987 and 2001, and to identify general practice characteristics associated with higher antibiotic prescribing rates. Methods : Cross-sectional national survey of Dutch general practice in 1987 and 2001. Data were used for all children aged 0–17 years; 86 577 children in 103 participating practices in 1987, and 76 010 children in 90 participating practices in 2001. Population-based, contact-based and disease-based antibiotic prescription rates were evaluated by age, gender and diagnosis. Practice characteristi... Mehr ...