Thanh Pho Nam Dinh

Researchers are evaluating community-based interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antibiotic use in rural Vietnam. The study includes three research components focused on community, primary healthcare, and hospital settings. It investigates educational and participatory action research approaches to influence antibiotic prescribing and use behaviors for acute respiratory infections and animal use, assessing their impact on antibiotic stewardship. The study uses a four-armed cluster randomized controlled trial with 64 rural communes divided into control and three intervention groups. Interventions include revising antibiotic prescribing guidelines and training primary healthcare doctors, distributing educational materials to communities and farmers, and engaging healthcare workers and communities through participatory action research cycles. In hospitals, quality improvement cycles using participatory action research are implemented to improve antibiotic stewardship. Participants include community members, healthcare workers, and farmers in Nam Dinh Province. Data collection involves surveys on antibiotic use and respiratory illness, patient record reviews, and knowledge, attitudes, and practice surveys in hospitals. Researchers will monitor antibiotic use proportions and behaviors up to 18 months after interventions. Qualitative evaluations will explore group processes and community engagement to understand behavior change contexts.