A screening question to assess risk of using antibiotics without a prescription: a diagnostic study

A study conducted in six public primary care clinics and two private emergency departments found that 43.6%) of 564 respondents reported non-prescription antibiotic use, with 91 (37.0%) reporting it in the past 12 months. The screening characteristics of non-prescription use in the past 12 months to identify intention to use antibiotics without a prescription in the future were 75.9% sensitivity, 91.4% specificity, 74.5% Bayes’ PPV, and 93.7% Bayes’ NPV. This study suggests a method to screen for future non-prescription antibiotic use.