Patientas Attitudes and Beliefs about using Drugs for Sore Throat in Primary Care

Abstract

Aim: Sore throat is a symptom developes by inflammation of pharynx, tonsilla and nasopharynx. In this survey, we investigate, patients’ beliefs and attitudes towards receiving prescription for sore throat in a primary care center. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 300 patients attending to two family medicine centers in Afyon and in Adana, for sore throat between 1.12.2012 and 31.12.2012. All participants were informed about the content of the survey; and after obtaining concent of the survey, questionnaire with 8 questions were given. Results: We enrolled eligible 173 female (57,7%), 127 male (42,3%) patients attended to primary care. 179 patients(59.7%) found antibiotics beneficial in every sore throat, 172 patients(57.3 %) found gargles/mouthwashes and sprays beneficial in every sore throat. Question 3 was looking for an answer to “Even though your doctors advice you not to use, in which conditions you would like to use antibiotics?â€.136(45.4%) patients notice complete thrust in their phsician answer as “I do not use antibiotics if doctors find it inappropriateâ€. Excessive fatigue ( n=56, 18.7% ), fever ( n=38, 12.7% ), cough( n=23, 7.7% ), sputum( n=17, 5.7% ), sore throat ( n=16, 5.3% ), inflammation( n=8, 2.7% ), if I have to( n=6, 2% ) were the other answers. 228 patients (76 %) found doctors’ prescription af antibiotics appropriate, 233 patients (77.7 %) found doctors’ prescription of gargles/mouthwashes and sprays as appropriate.