Acute respiratory infections in primary health care centres in northern Saudi Arabia

This study was carried out in the northern region of Saudi Arabia during 1419 AH (1998 AD). A random sample of 1200 prescriptions was analysed to determine the magnitude of factors associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) and their treatment. ARI were diagnosed in more than one-third of the prescriptions analysed, of which upper respiratory infections accounted for 65.8%, and pneumonia less than 1%. The prevalence of ARI was significantly higher in urban areas, among children, among males and during the colder seasons of the year. Antibiotics were prescribed for 87.8% of patients. This study reinforces the need to implement forthwith the Saudi national programme for diagnosis and treatment of ARI.