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Title of the publicationReduction of Antibiotic Use in the Community Reduces the Rate of Colonization with Penicillin G—Nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae
Abstract

Background. There is a lack of evidence documenting the impact of optimized antibiotic use on the rates of colonization with penicillin G—nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) in children. This study evaluates the effect of community-based intervention strategies on the prevalence of PNSP colonization
Methods. A controlled, population-based pharmacoepidemiological trial was conducted from January through May 2000. Three French geographic areas were selected on the basis of demographic similarities. Two intervention strategies were implemented: (1) reduced antibiotic use, which was achieved by not prescribing antibiotics for presumed viral respiratory tract infections (the prescription-reduction group); and (2) better adaptation of dose and duration (the dose/duration group). A control group received no intervention. The target population was children aged 3–6 years who were attending kindergarten. Oropharyngeal pneumococcus colonization and antibiotic use were monitored throughout the 5-month study.
Results. The prescription-reduction, dose/duration, and control groups included 601, 483, and 405 children, respectively. The interventions induced significantly larger decreases in antibiotic use in the prescription-reduction group (-18.8%) and dose/duration group (-17.1%) than in the control group (-3.8%), and the rates of PNSP colonization were initially similar for the 3 groups (52.5%, 55.1%, and 50.0%, respectively). At the end of the 5-month study, the rates of PNSP colonization were 34.5% for the prescription-reduction group (P = .05) and 44.3% for the dose/duration group (P = .8), compared with 46.2% for the control group.
Conclusions. Intensive educational strategies aimed at optimizing antibiotic use can significantly reduce the rate of PNSP colonization in areas with high resistance rates.

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/432721
Name of the first authorGuillemot, Didier
Year of publication2005
Study design of the publicationNon-randomized controlled trial
Method for data collection and analysis
  • Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Sector
  • Human - All activities regarding organisations and individuals involved in health products and services
Sub-sectorSub-sectors are further units of demarcation within a sector E.g. awareness campaign from veterinarians to cat owners about toxoplasmosis drug resistance and transmission of resistant bacteria: ANIMAL, PETS
Subsector (human)
  • General (human health)
  • Healthcare delivery
  • Community
General (human health)
Healthcare delivery
Community