Will Cuningham1,2, Jodie McVernon1,3, Michael J Lydeamore4,5, Ross M Andrews2,6, Jonathan Carapetis7, Therese Kearns2, Danielle Clucas8, Roslyn Gundjirryirr Dhurrkay2, Steven Y C Tong2,9, Patricia T Campbell1,5. 1. Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Victoria. 2. Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory. 3. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria. 4. School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria. 5. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria. 6. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory. 7. Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Western Australia. 8. Clinical Haematology, The Alfred Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Victoria. 9. Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Doherty Department University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the childhood infectious disease burden and antibiotic use in the Northern Territory's East Arnhem region through synthesis and analysis of historical data resources. METHODS: We combined primary health clinic data originally reported in three separate publications stemming from the East Arnhem Healthy Skin Project (Jan-01 to Sep-07). Common statistical techniques were used to explore the prevalence of infectious conditions and the seasonality of infections, and to measure rates of antibiotic use. RESULTS: There was a high monthly prevalence of respiratory (mean: 32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20%, 34%]) and skin (mean: 20% [95%CI: 19%, 22%]) infectious syndromes, with upper respiratory tract infections (mean: 29% [95%CI: 27%, 31%]) and skin sores (mean: 15% [95%CI: 14%, 17%]) the most common conditions. Antibiotics were frequently prescribed with 95% (95%CI: 91%, 97%) of children having received at least one antibiotic prescription by their first birthday, and 47% having received six antibiotic prescriptions; skin sores being a key driver. CONCLUSIONS: Early life infections drive high antibiotic prescribing rates in remote Aboriginal communities. Implications for public health: Eliminating skin disease could reduce antibiotic use by almost 20% in children under five years of age in this population.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the childhood infectious disease burden and antibiotic use in the Northern Territory's East Arnhem region through synthesis and analysis of historical data resources. METHODS: We combined primary health clinic data originally reported in three separate publications stemming from the East Arnhem Healthy Skin Project (Jan-01 to Sep-07). Common statistical techniques were used to explore the prevalence of infectious conditions and the seasonality of infections, and to measure rates of antibiotic use. RESULTS: There was a high monthly prevalence of respiratory (mean: 32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20%, 34%]) and skin (mean: 20% [95%CI: 19%, 22%]) infectious syndromes, with upper respiratory tract infections (mean: 29% [95%CI: 27%, 31%]) and skin sores (mean: 15% [95%CI: 14%, 17%]) the most common conditions. Antibiotics were frequently prescribed with 95% (95%CI: 91%, 97%) of children having received at least one antibiotic prescription by their first birthday, and 47% having received six antibiotic prescriptions; skin sores being a key driver. CONCLUSIONS: Early life infections drive high antibiotic prescribing rates in remote Aboriginal communities. Implications for public health: Eliminating skin disease could reduce antibiotic use by almost 20% in children under five years of age in this population.
Authors: Timothy Howarth; Raelene Brunette; Tanya Davies; Ross M Andrews; Bhavini K Patel; Steven Tong; Federica Barzi; Therese M Kearns Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-04-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Jun Wern Yau; Sze Mun Thor; Danny Tsai; Tobias Speare; Chris Rissel Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2021-07-13 Impact factor: 4.887
Authors: George Taiaroa; Ben Matalavea; Malama Tafuna'i; Jake A Lacey; David J Price; Lupeoletalalelei Isaia; Hinauri Leaupepe; Satupaitea Viali; Darren Lee; Claire L Gorrie; Deborah A Williamson; Susan Jack Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2020-12-29