Antibiotic use and abuse among physicians in private practice in Shiraz, Iran.

From 120 practicing physicians in Shiraz, Iran, 40 were selected to identify their attitude toward the use of antibiotics. A young, healthy man who complained of mild fever and cold symptoms was referred to them and 37 of them prescribed inappropriate doses of antibiotics. It is assumed that the behavior of the physicians is based on pressure by the patient to receive more medicine, particularly antibiotics.