Outcomes of the Antibiotics Smart Use Project: a Pilot Study in Saraburi Province

Authors

  • Nithima Sumpradit Food and Drug Administration; International Health Policy Program
  • Kunyada Anuwong Faculty of Pharmacy,Srinakharinwirot University
  • Pisonthi Chongtrakul Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
  • Khemwadee Khanabkaew National Health Commission office of Thailand
  • Somying Pumtong Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University

Keywords:

Antibiotics Smart Use, antibiotic, antimicrobial, PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model, pre-scribing behavior, rational use of medicines

Abstract

The Antibiotics Smart Use Project (ASU) in Saraburi province was a pilot study and aimed at developing a model to reduce use of antibiotics in upper respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhea, and simple wounds as prescribed by healthcare providers in community hospitals and health centers. The PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model was used as a conceptual framework. This quasiexperimental study was designed to evaluate the project outcomes which were (1) antibiotic prescribing viewpoints and behavior of health professionals and (2) patients’ health status and satisfaction of those not receiving antibiotics. Data were collected from all 10 community hospitals and 87 health centers between December 2006 and May 2008. The results showed that a total of 315 healthcare professionals who attended and responded to the pre-test and post-test questionnaires had better knowledge regarding the target diseases and treatment, higher self-efficacy and stronger intention for not prescribing antibiotics (p < 0.001). After the project implementation, the total amount of antibiotics prescribed for outpatients decreased 18-46 percent. The percentage of outpatients with targeted diseases who did not receive antibiotics increased significantly from 45.5 to 74.7 (p < 0.001) whereas that of the control group did not change significantly. Almost all of 1,200 outpatients who did not receive antibiotics (97.1%) fully recovered from their illness or felt better, and approximately 90 percent were satisfied with the treatment outcomes. In conclusion, the ASU project achieved its goals. Currently, this project has not only been expanded to many provinces via networking collaborations, but has been also demonstrated feasibility to bridge local practice and national policy to promote continuity of rational antibiotics use.

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Published

2018-01-11

How to Cite

Sumpradit, N., Anuwong, K., Chongtrakul, P., Khanabkaew, K., & Pumtong, S. (2018). Outcomes of the Antibiotics Smart Use Project: a Pilot Study in Saraburi Province. Journal of Health Science of Thailand, 19(6), 899–911. Retrieved from https://thaidj.org/index.php/JHS/article/view/1548

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Section

Original Article (นิพนธ์ต้นฉบับ)