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Wei X, Khan N, Durrani H, Muzaffar N, Haldane V, Walley JD, Thorpe K, Ge E, Ge S, Dodd W, Wallace J, Aslanyan G, Laporte A, Khan MA. Protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health interventions in improving non-communicable disease management during the pandemic in rural Pakistan. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282543. [PMID: 37816010 PMCID: PMC10564142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed gaps in global health systems, especially in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Evidence shows that patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and suffering direct and indirect health consequences. Considering the future challenges such as environmental disasters and pandemics to the LMICs health systems, digital health interventions (DHI) are well poised to strengthen health care resilience. This study aims to implement and evaluate a comprehensive package of DHIs of integrated COVID-NCD care to manage NCDs in primary care facilities in rural Pakistan. METHODS The study is designed as a pragmatic, parallel two-arm, multi-centre, mix-methods cluster randomised controlled trial. We will randomise 30 primary care facilities in three districts of Punjab, where basic hypertension and diabetes diagnosis and treatment are provided, with a ratio of 1:1 between intervention and control. In each facility, we will recruit 50 patients who have uncontrolled hypertension. The intervention arm will receive training on an integrated COVID-NCD guideline, and will use a smartphone app-based telemedicine platform where patients can communicate with health providers and peer-supporters, along with a remote training and supervision system. Usual care will be provided in the control arm. Patients will be followed up for 10 months. Our primary indicator is systolic blood pressure measured at 10 months. A process evaluation guided by implementation science frameworks will be conducted to explore implementation questions. A cost-effectiveness evaluation will be conducted to inform future scale up in Pakistan and other LMICs. DISCUSSION Our study is one of the first randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of DHIs to manage NCDs to strengthen health system resilience in LMICs. We will also evaluate the implementation process and cost-effectiveness to inform future scale-up in similar resource constrained settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier-NCT05699369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nida Khan
- Association for Social Development, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hammad Durrani
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Victoria Haldane
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John D. Walley
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Thorpe
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Erjia Ge
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shiliang Ge
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Warren Dodd
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - James Wallace
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Garry Aslanyan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Audrey Laporte
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Shen L, Wang T, Yin J, Sun Q, Dyar OJ. Clinical Uncertainty Influences Antibiotic Prescribing for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Qualitative Study of Township Hospital Physicians and Village Doctors in Rural Shandong Province, China. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1027. [PMID: 37370346 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12061027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore how clinical uncertainty influences antibiotic prescribing practices among township hospital physicians and village doctors in rural Shandong Province, China. METHODS Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 township hospital physicians and 6 village doctors from rural Shandong Province, China. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to identify respondents. Conceptual content analysis together with Colaizzi's method were used to generate qualitative codes and identify themes. RESULTS Three final thematic categories emerged during the data analysis: (1) Incidence and treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) in township hospitals and village clinics; (2) Antibiotic prescribing practices based on the clinical experience of clinicians; (3) Influence of clinical uncertainty on antibiotic prescribing. Respondents from both township hospitals and village clinics reported that URTIs were the most common reason for antibiotic prescriptions at their facilities and that clinical uncertainty appears to be an important driver for the overuse of antibiotics for URTIs. Clinical uncertainty was primarily due to: (1) Diagnostic uncertainty (establishing a relevant diagnosis is hindered by limited diagnostic resources and capacities, as well as limited willingness of patients to pay for investigations), and (2) Insufficient prognostic evidence. As a consequence of the clinical uncertainty caused by both diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, respondents stated that antibiotics are frequently prescribed for URTIs to prevent both prolonged courses or recurrence of the disease, as well as clinical worsening, hospital admission, or complications. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that clinical uncertainty is a key driver for the overuse and misuse of prescribing antibiotics for URTIs in both rural township hospitals and village clinics in Shandong province, China, and that interventions to reduce clinical uncertainty may help minimize the unnecessary use of antibiotics in these settings. Interventions that use clinical rules to identify patients at low risk of complications or hospitalization may be more feasible in the near-future than laboratory-based interventions aimed at reducing diagnostic uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Shen
- Center for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Center for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jia Yin
- Center for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan 250012, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Center for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan 250012, China
| | - Oliver James Dyar
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75122 Uppsala, Sweden
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Wu S, Tannous E, Haldane V, Ellen ME, Wei X. Barriers and facilitators of implementing interventions to improve appropriate antibiotic use in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implement Sci 2022; 17:30. [PMID: 35550169 PMCID: PMC9096759 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-022-01209-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Behavior change interventions that aim to improve rational antibiotic use in prescribers and users have been widely conducted in both high- and LMICs. However, currently, no review has systematically examined challenges unique to LMICs and offered insights into the underlying contextual factors that influence these interventions. We adopted an implementation research perspective to systematically synthesize the implementation barriers and facilitators in LMICs. Methods We conducted literature searches in five electronic databases and identified studies that involved the implementation of behavior change interventions to improve appropriate antibiotic use in prescribers and users in LMICs and reported implementation barriers and facilitators. Behavior change interventions were defined using the behavior change wheel, and the coding and synthesis of barriers and facilitators were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results We identified 52 eligible studies, with the majority targeting prescribers practicing at tertiary facilities (N=39, 75%). The most commonly reported factors influencing implementation were found in the inner setting domain of the CFIR framework, particularly related to constraints in resources and the infrastructure of the facilities where interventions were implemented. Barriers related to the external policy environment (e.g., lack of national initiatives and policies on antibiotic use), and individual characteristics of target populations (e.g., reluctance to change prescribing behaviors) were also common, as well as facilitators related to intervention characteristics (e.g., embedding interventions in routine practice) and process (e.g., stakeholder engagement). We also provided insights into the interrelationships between these factors and the underlying causes contributing to the implementation challenges in LMICs. Conclusion We presented a comprehensive overview of the barriers and facilitators of implementing behavior change interventions to promote rational antibiotic use in LMICs. Our findings suggest that facilitating the implementation of interventions to improve rational antibiotic use needs comprehensive efforts to address challenges at policy, organizational, and implementation levels. Specific strategies include (1) strengthening political commitment to prompt mobilization of domestic resources and formulation of a sustainable national strategy on AMR, (2) improving the infrastructure of health facilities that allow prescribers to make evidence-based clinical decisions, and (3) engaging local stakeholders to improve their buy-in and facilitate contextualizing interventions. Trial registration PROSPERO: CRD42021252715. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13012-022-01209-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishi Wu
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elias Tannous
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Pharmacy services, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Victoria Haldane
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Moriah E Ellen
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Sun R, Yao T, Zhou X, Harbarth S, Lin L. Non-biomedical factors affecting antibiotic use in the community: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:345-354. [PMID: 34768017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past two decades, human antibiotic consumption has increased globally, contributing to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and calling for urgent effective actions. OBJECTIVES To systematically identify and collate studies exploring non-biomedical factors influencing healthcare consumers' antibiotic use globally, in order to inform future interventions to improve antibiotic use practices. METHODS Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Original and empirical studies that identified factors for healthcare consumers' antibiotic use. PARTICIPANTS Healthcare consumers. Assessment of risk of bias: Adapted BMJ survey appraisal tools, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool were utilised for quality assessment. Methods of data synthesis: The Social Ecological Framework and Health Belief Model were employed for data synthesis. We did random-effects meta-analyses to pool the odds ratios of risk factors for antibiotic use. RESULTS We included 71 articles for systematic review and analysis: 54 quantitative, nine qualitative, and eight mixed-methods studies. Prevalent non-prescription antibiotic uses and irresponsible prescriptions were reported globally, especially in low-to-middle income countries. Barriers to healthcare - wait time, transportation, stigmatization - influenced people's antibiotic use practices. Further, lack of oversight and regulation in the drug manufacturing and weak supply chain have led to the use of substandard or falsified antibiotics. Knowledge had mixed effects on antibiotic use behaviours. Meta-analyses identified pro-attitudes towards self-medication with antibiotics, relatives having medical backgrounds, older age, living in rural areas, and storing antibiotics at home to be risk factors for self-medication with antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS Non-prescription antibiotic use and irresponsible prescriptions in the community are prevalent in all WHO regions and largely driven by a mixed collection of non-biomedical factors specific to the respective setting. Future AMR strategies should incorporate implementation science approach for community-based complex interventions that addresses drivers of the target behaviours tailored to local contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Sun
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R.China
| | - Tingting Yao
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R.China
| | - Xudong Zhou
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R.China
| | - Stephan Harbarth
- University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leesa Lin
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, SAR, P. R. China.
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Wei X, Zhang Z, Chong MKC, Hicks JP, Gong W, Zou G, Zhong J, Walley JD, Upshur REG, Yu M. Evaluation of a package of risk-based pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions in patients with hypertension and/or diabetes in rural China: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003694. [PMID: 34197452 PMCID: PMC8284676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) requires adequate control of hypertension and diabetes. We designed and implemented pharmaceutical and healthy lifestyle interventions for patients with diabetes and/or hypertension in rural primary care, and assessed their effectiveness at reducing severe CVD events. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used a pragmatic, parallel group, 2-arm, controlled, superiority, cluster trial design. We randomised 67 township hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China, to intervention (34) or control (33). A total of 31,326 participants were recruited, with 15,380 in the intervention arm and 15,946 in the control arm. Participants had no known CVD and were either patients with hypertension and a 10-year CVD risk of 20% or higher, or patients with type 2 diabetes regardless of their CVD risk. The intervention included prescription of a standardised package of medicines, individual advice on lifestyle change, and adherence support. Control was usual hypertension and diabetes care. In both arms, as usual in China, most outpatient drug costs were out of pocket. The primary outcome was severe CVD events, including coronary heart disease and stroke, during 36 months of follow-up, as recorded by the CVD surveillance system. The study was implemented between December 2013 and May 2017. A total of 13,385 (87%) and 14,745 (92%) participated in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Their mean age was 64 years, 51% were women, and 90% were farmers. Of all participants, 64% were diagnosed with hypertension with or without diabetes, and 36% were diagnosed with diabetes only. All township hospitals and participants completed the 36-month follow-up. At 36 months, there were 762 and 874 severe CVD events in the intervention and control arms, respectively, yielding a non-significant effect on CVD incidence rate (1.92 and 2.01 per 100 person-years, respectively; crude incidence rate ratio = 0.90 [95% CI: 0.74, 1.08; P = 0.259]). We observed significant, but small, differences in the change from baseline to follow-up for systolic blood pressure (-1.44 mm Hg [95% CI: -2.26, -0.62; P < 0.001]) and diastolic blood pressure (-1.29 mm Hg [95% CI: -1.77, -0.80; P < 0.001]) in the intervention arm compared to the control arm. Self-reported adherence to recommended medicines was significantly higher in the intervention arm compared with the control arm at 36 months. No safety concerns were identified. Main study limitations include all participants being informed about their high CVD risk at baseline, non-blinding of participants, and the relatively short follow-up period available for judging potential changes in rates of CVD events. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive package of pharmaceutical and healthy lifestyle interventions did not reduce severe CVD events over 36 months. Improving health system factors such as universal coverage for the cost of essential medicines is required for successful risk-based CVD prevention programmes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN registry ISRCTN58988083.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhitong Zhang
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc K. C. Chong
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joseph P. Hicks
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Weiwei Gong
- Zhejiang Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guanyang Zou
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieming Zhong
- Zhejiang Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - John D. Walley
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ross E. G. Upshur
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Min Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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Lin L, Sun R, Yao T, Zhou X, Harbarth S. Factors influencing inappropriate use of antibiotics in outpatient and community settings in China: a mixed-methods systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-003599. [PMID: 33184066 PMCID: PMC7662435 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, antibiotics have been excessively consumed around the world, contributing to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and negatively impacting health outcomes and expenditures. Antibiotic use in China accounts for half of worldwide antibiotic consumption, which mainly takes place in outpatient and community settings, and often unnecessarily for self-limiting community-acquired infections. This study aimed to identify and assess factors of inappropriate use of antibiotics in the Chinese context to inform the development of interventions to mitigate inappropriate consumption in the absence of clinical indications. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review and included empirical studies with original data conducted in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan that investigated factors of antibiotic use in the community including outpatient care among patients, caregivers and prescribers. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and one Chinese database CNKI (China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database), using a combination of the key terms 'antibiotic', 'antimicrobial', 'use', 'consumption', 'behaviour', 'prescribe' and related syntax for all peer-reviewed publications published before June 2020. Health Belief Model was employed for data synthesis. FINDINGS Fifty-four studies were included in the full-text review: 44 quantitative, 5 qualitative and 5 mixed-methods studies. Despite a high AMR awareness, public perception/misconception of antibiotic efficacy and easy access to antibiotics for self-limiting conditions drive inappropriate demand and use in the community including primary care setting. Providers' prescribing behaviours are influenced by financial incentives, lack of diagnostic capacity and concerns over complications. CONCLUSIONS Inappropriate outpatient and community antibiotic use is influenced by non-biomedical factors at the individual, community, health system and societal levels in mainland China, contributing to a high antibiotic use rate. This study calls for context-tailored One Health interventions, restrictive antibiotic drug policy and multifaceted antibiotic stewardship programmes that simultaneously address drivers of inappropriate use from both the supply-side and demand-side within and beyond clinical settings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019139591.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leesa Lin
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ruyu Sun
- Institute of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Yao
- Institute of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Zhou
- Institute of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Stephan Harbarth
- Infection Control Programme, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.,Infectious Diseases Division, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Guo S, Sun Q, Zhao X, Shen L, Zhen X. Prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in Chinese children. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:255. [PMID: 34074254 PMCID: PMC8168021 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health globally. Irrational utilization of antibiotics being one of the main reasons of antibiotic resistant. Children as a special group, there's more chance of getting infected. Although most of the infection is viral in etiology, antibiotics still are the most frequently prescribed medications for children. Therefore, high use of antibiotics among children raises concern about the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing. This systematic review aims to measuring prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children in China. METHODS English and Chinese databases were searched to identify relevant studies evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in Chinese children (0-18 years), which were published between 2010 and July 2020. A Meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using random effect model. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and modified Jadad score was used to assess risk of bias of studies. In addition, we explored the risk factors of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children using qualitative analysis. RESULTS Of 10,075 studies identified, 98 eligible studies were included after excluded duplicated studies. A total of 79 studies reported prevalence and 42 studies reported risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children. The overall prevalence of antibiotic utilization among outpatients and inpatients were 63.8% (35 studies, 95% confidence interval (CI): 55.1-72.4%), and 81.3% (41 studies, 95% CI: 77.3-85.2%), respectively. In addition, the overall prevalence of caregiver's self-medicating of antibiotics for children at home was 37.8% (4 studies, 95% CI: 7.9-67.6%). The high prevalence of antibiotics was associated with multiple factors, while lacking of skills and knowledge in both physicians and caregivers was the most recognized risk factor, caregivers put pressure on physicians to get antibiotics and self-medicating with antibiotics at home for children also were the main factors attributed to this issue. CONCLUSION The prevalence of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children is heavy both in hospitals and home. It is important for government to develop more effective strategies to improve the irrational use of antibiotic, especially in rural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Guo
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xinyang Zhao
- School of Nursing, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110100, China
| | - Liyan Shen
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xuemei Zhen
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China.
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Walley JD, Zhang Z, Wei X. Antibiotic overuse in China: call for consolidated efforts to develop antibiotic stewardship programmes. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 21:597. [PMID: 33894840 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D Walley
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Zhitong Zhang
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto M5T 3M7, ON, Canada
| | - Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto M5T 3M7, ON, Canada.
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Zhuo C, Wei X, Zhang Z, Hicks JP, Zheng J, Chen Z, Haldane V, Walley J, Guan Y, Xu H, Zhong N. An antibiotic stewardship programme to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections in rural Chinese primary care facilities: study protocol for a clustered randomised controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:394. [PMID: 32398065 PMCID: PMC7216131 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections at the primary care level represents the major source of antibiotic misuse in healthcare, and is a major driver for antimicrobial resistance worldwide. In this study we will develop, pilot and evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programme in China's primary care hospitals to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections among all ages. METHODS We will use a parallel-group, cluster-randomised, controlled, superiority trial with blinded outcome evaluation but unblinded treatment (providers and patients). We will randomise 34 primary care hospitals from two counties within Guangdong province into the intervention and control arm (1:1 overall ratio) stratified by county (8:9 within-county ratio). In the control arm, antibiotic prescribing and management will continue through usual care. In the intervention arm, we will implement an antibiotic stewardship programme targeting family physicians and patients/caregivers. The family physician components include: (1) training using new operational guidelines, (2) improved management and peer-review of antibiotic prescribing, (3) improved electronic medical records and smart phone app facilitation. The patient/caregiver component involves patient education via family physicians, leaflets and videos. The primary outcome is the proportion of prescriptions for acute respiratory infections (excluding pneumonia) that contain any antibiotic(s). Secondary outcomes will address how frequently specific classes of antibiotics are prescribed, how frequently key non-antibiotic alternatives are prescribed and the costs of consultations. We will conduct a qualitative process evaluation to explore operational questions regarding acceptability, cultural appropriateness and burden of technology use, as well as a cost-effectiveness analysis and a long-term benefit evaluation. The duration of the intervention will be 12 months, with another 24 months' post-trial long-term follow-up. DISCUSSION Our study is one of the first trials to evaluate the effect of an antibiotic stewardship programme in primary care settings in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC). All interventional activities will be designed to be embedded into routine primary care with strong local ownership. Through the trial we intend to impact on clinical practice and national policy in antibiotic prescription for primary care facilities in rural China and other LMICs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ID: ISRCTN96892547. Registered on 18 August 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhuo
- National Center for Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong -Macao Great Bay, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Xi Rd, Guangzhou City, 510120 Guangdong China
| | - Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Zhitong Zhang
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Joseph Paul Hicks
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jinkun Zheng
- Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, Guangdong China
| | - Zhixu Chen
- National Center for Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong -Macao Great Bay, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Xi Rd, Guangzhou City, 510120 Guangdong China
| | - Victoria Haldane
- National Center for Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong -Macao Great Bay, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Xi Rd, Guangzhou City, 510120 Guangdong China
| | - John Walley
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Yubao Guan
- National Center for Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong -Macao Great Bay, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Xi Rd, Guangzhou City, 510120 Guangdong China
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, Guangdong China
| | - Nanshan Zhong
- National Center for Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong -Macao Great Bay, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Xi Rd, Guangzhou City, 510120 Guangdong China
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