No abstract

Summaryobjective To investigate antibiotic use and antibiotic susceptibility of respiratory tract pathogens in children aged 1-5 years in Bavi, Vietnam.method Nasopharynx and throat specimens were collected from 200 children from randomly selected households in a demographically defined population. Respiratory isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility according to the standard disk diffusion method. A questionnaire survey of carers elicited information on type of antibiotic used, duration of treatment, where the antibiotics had been purchased, type of treatment information retained by carers and episodes of illness preceding the study.results 82% of the children had at least one symptom of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in the 4 weeks prior to the study, and of these 91% were treated with antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics were ampicillin (74%), penicillin (12%), amoxicillin (11%), erythromycin (5%), tetracycline (4%) and streptomycin (2%). Ampicillin was used for 3.3 days on average (SD:1.8) and penicillin for 2.6 days (SD:0.7). When deciding which antibiotic to use, 67% of the carers consulted the pharmacy seller, 11% decided themselves and 22% followed the doctor's prescription. The carrier rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was 50%, 39% and 17%, respectively. Isolates from 145 children were susceptibility tested, and 74% were found to carry resistant pathogens. Of the tested isolates, 90% of S. pneumoniae, 68% of H. influenzae and 74% of M. catarrhalis were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The mean number of antibiotics (susceptible strains excluded) to which resistance was found was 2.0 (SD:1.2), 2.5 (SD:1.8) and 2.1 (SD:0.9), respectively. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae showed high resistance to tetracycline (88% and 32%, respectively), trimethoprim/sulphonamide (32% and 44%), and chloramphenicol (25% and 24%). 23% of S. pneumoniae were erythromycin-resistant and 18% of H. influenzae isolates were resistant to ampicillin. There was a significant difference in ampicillin and penicillin resistance between the group of children previously treated with beta lactam antibiotics and the group of children who did not receive antibiotics.conclusion As reported by the carers, children in Bavi are treated with antibiotics frequently. Most antibiotics were obtained without consulting a doctor. High levels of antibiotic resistance and high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains were found among respiratory pathogens. The existence of a large reservoir of resistance genes among children in low-income countries represents a threat to the success of antibiotic therapy throughout the world. Multi-faceted programmes to improve rational use of antibiotics in Vietnam are urgently needed.

No abstract

BackgroundGood health and equal health care are the cornerstones of the Swedish Health and Medical Service Act. Recent studies show that the average level of health, measured as longevity, improves in Sweden, however, social inequalities in health remain a major issue. An important issue is how health care services can contribute to reducing inequalities in health, and the impact of a recent Primary Health Care (PHC) Choice Reform in this respect. This paper presents the findings of a review of the existing evidence on impacts of these reforms.MethodsWe reviewed the published accounts (reports and scientific articles) which reported on the impact of the Swedish PHC Choice Reform of 2010 and changes in reimbursement systems, using Donabedian’s framework for assessing quality of care in terms of structure, process and outcomes.ResultsSince 2010, over 270 new private PHC practices operating for profit have been established throughout the country. One study found that the new establishments had primarily located in the largest cities and urban areas, in socioeconomically more advantaged populations. Another study, adjusting for socioeconomic composition found minor differences. The number of visits to PHC doctors has increased, more so among those with lesser needs of health care. The reform has had a negative impact on the provision of services for persons with complex needs. Opinions of doctors and staff in PHC are mixed, many state that persons with lesser needs are prioritized. Patient satisfaction is largely unchanged. The impact of PHC on population health may be reduced.ConclusionsThe PHC Choice Reform increased the average number of visits, but particularly among those in more affluent groups and with lower health care needs, and has made integrated care for those with complex needs more difficult. Resource allocation to PHC has become more dependent on provider location, patient choice and demand, and less on need of care. On the available evidence, the PHC Choice Reform may have damaged equity of primary health care provision, contrary to the tenets of the Swedish Health and Medical Service Act. This situation needs to be carefully monitored.

Summaryobjectives To assess the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention on knowledge and reported practice amongst staff working in private pharmacies in Hanoi regarding four conditions: urethral discharge [sexually transmitted diseases (STD)], acute respiratory infection (ARI), and non-prescription requests for antibiotics and steroids.method Randomized controlled trial with staff working in 22 matched pair intervention and control private pharmacies who were administered a semistructured questionnaire on the four conditions before and 4 months after the interventions. The interventions focused on the four conditions and were in sequence (i) regulations enforcement; (ii) face-to-face education and (iii) peer influence. Outcome measures were knowledge and reported change in practice for correct management of tracer conditions.results The intervention/control-pairs (22 after drop-outs) were analysed pre-and post-intervention using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. STD: More drug sellers stated they would ask about the health of the partner (P ¼ 0.03) and more said they would advise condom use (P ¼ 0.01) and partner notification (P ¼ 0.04). ARI: More drug sellers stated they would ask questions regarding fever (P ¼ 0.01), fewer would give antibiotics (P ¼ 0.02) and more would give traditional medicines (P ¼ 0.03). Antibiotics request: Fewer said they would sell a few capsules of cefalexin without a prescription (P ¼ 0.02). Steroid requests: No statistical difference was seen in the numbers who said they would sell steroids without a prescription as numbers declined in both intervention and control groups (P ¼ 0.12).conclusion The three interventions in series over 17 months were effective in changing the knowledge and reported practice of drug sellers in Hanoi.