Evaluation of over prescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections in Children ≤ 12 years old in Kirkuk, Iraq

Objectives This study aimed to highlight on in appropriate antibiotic prescribing in URTIs in children in primary healthcare center in Kirkuk, Iraq. Method This is a cross sectional retrospective study conducted over five month period (November 1, 2018 – March 31, 2017) for children ≤12 year old complaining from URTIs attending Azadi 2 PHCC, Kirkuk, Iraq. Information obtained from registry of the PHCC. Results Our study sample was (300 patient), there were (n: 152, 51%) females and (n: 148, 49%) males. The most common diagnosis was common cold (n: 120, 40%) then pharyngitis (n: 114, 38%), then tonsillitis (n: 40, 13.3%) then otitis media (n: 21, 7%) and the less common diagnosis was acute sinusitis (n: 5, 1.7%). Combined prescription of  antibiotics with aduvants was the most common finding (n: 256, 85%) while prescreption of adjuvants alone was in the second ranking (n: 42, 14%). Antibiotics prescribed for 89.5% from patients diagnosed with pharyngitis and for 79.2% for patients diagnosed with common cold. Conclusion Antibiotics over prescription is high in a primary healthcare facility practice. Health authorities should enforce strict control or out rightly stop of antibiotics over prescription to reduce chances of the emergence antibiotics resistance.