Antibiotic prescription patterns amongst children residing in remote Northern Manitoba communities

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing concerns with respect to health care providers in relation to over-prescription of antibiotics in a primary care setting, compounding the rising concerns of antibiotic resistance. There currently is a deficit in the literature with respect to prescription patterns being quantified and reported as it pertains to children and adolescents residing in remote northern Manitoba communities. We sought to address this discrepancy in the literature via evaluating trending data regarding antibiotic prescription patterns in select remote northern communities in Manitoba in children aged 0 to 19. We attempted to address this discrepancy in the literature via evaluating trending data regarding antibiotic prescription patterns in select remote northern communities in Manitoba in children aged 0 to 19. Our results show preliminary evidence of decreasing rates of antibiotic prescriptions in remote northern Manitoba communities. More work is necessary to get a broader picture of past and current antibiotic prescription patterns in order to serve as a catalyst for clinical guideline reforms when necessary, to give us a better picture of the overall quality of care these patients receive and ultimately to improve the health outcomes of patients in these communities