Compliance of patients in medical treatment of pediatric population who has group a beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in a rural area of Turkey

Abstract

Tonsillopharyngitis is a common infectious disease in the pediatric age group. Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) is a main infectious agent of pharyngitis. Optimal therapeutic approach in these patients has been a matter of debate to avoid the complications of infection. The aim of this study was to compare the compliance of patients who are 5-15 years old of age groups with tonsillopharyngitis to medical treatment. Six hundred and twenty-two (622) outpatient children who were 5-15 years old and had general infection symptoms as high fever, weakness, chills-shivering and observed hyperemia at tonsils and pharynx were included in the study. Throat culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. Compliance of patients to medical treatment was assessed. Seventy-three (11.7%) GAS isolates were obtained from tonsillopharyngeal cultures of the 622 patients. Penicillin, vancomycin, cefepime, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin susceptibility were 100%, 100%, 100%, 98,6%, 98,6%, 98,6% respectively. Compliance of female, male, and all patients to treatment for 5 days were 97.1%, 92.3%, 94.5% respectively and for 10 days treatment, this ratio was respectively 61.7%, 53.8%, 57.5%. To avoid complications of these infections, similar studies should be planned in various places and optimal therapeutic approach must be developed according to socioeconomic states of cities and countries.