[An inquiry into the use of antibiotics in acute respiratory infections in primary health care centres in Algeria during 1980 (author's transl)].

In an acute respiratory infection the prescription of antibiotics is often still routine in Algeria. Antibiotic consumption has accounted for 20 to 28% of the drug bill in recent years. A prospective pilot study was carried out in 1980 in 26 health centres in different parts of the country. This has allowed an evaluation to be made of the importance of acute respiratory infections in the demand for primary health care and the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions. In 1980 acute respiratory infections accounted for 23% of consultations in primary medical care. In 69% of cases they were for upper respiratory tract above the glottis sometimes extending to the bronchi; in 28% the infections were isolated to the trachea and bronchi; in 3% the infections were bronchiolar, alveolar or pleural. Although the localisation of acute respiratory infections suggests a predominantly viral origin, antibiotics were prescribed in 76% of cases; these prescriptions depend more on the habit of the prescriber than the observed pathology. An agreed strategy is required to deal with acute respiratory infections at the primary care level and is a priority for health care. It should now go beyond the theoretical model to the level of realistic and rational therapeutic decisions.