Objectives: To analyse trends in antibiotic exposure of the French population from 1992 to 2000.
Methods: The analysis used data provided by a representative annual nationwide survey of health care consumption in the community.
Results: The frequency of antibiotic use increased from 4.7 per 100 person-months in 1992 to 7.3 in 1995, and remained stable from 1998 to 2000. Children under 7 years of age were three times more strongly exposed to antibiotics than older subjects. Respiratory tract infections of probable viral aetiology and sore throat accounted for >50% of antibacterial prescriptions.
Conclusions: We identified two major priorities for campaigns designed to reduce antibiotic exposure of the French population in the community, namely respiratory tract infections of presumed viral origin, and children under 7 years of age.