Community-based antibiotic access and use in six low-income and middle-income countries: a mixed-method approach

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial misuse is common in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), and this practice is a driver of antibiotic resistance. We compared community-based antibiotic access and use practices across communities in LMICs to identify contextually specific targets for interventions to improve antibiotic use practices.

Methods: We did quantitative and qualitative assessments of antibiotic access and use in six LMICs across Africa (Mozambique, Ghana, and South Africa) and Asia (Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand) over a 2·5-year study period (July 1, 2016-Dec 31, 2018). We did quantitative assessments of community antibiotic access and use through supplier mapping, customer exit interviews, and household surveys. These quantitative assessments were triangulated with qualitative drug supplier and consumer interviews and discussions.

Findings: Vietnam and Bangladesh had the largest proportions of non-licensed antibiotic dispensing points. For mild illness, drug stores were the most common point of contact when seeking antibiotics in most countries, except South Africa and Mozambique, where public facilities were most common. Self-medication with antibiotics was found to be widespread in Vietnam (55·2% of antibiotics dispensed without prescription), Bangladesh (45·7%), and Ghana (36·1%), but less so in Mozambique (8·0%), South Africa (1·2%), and Thailand (3·9%). Self-medication was considered to be less time consuming, cheaper, and overall, more convenient than accessing them through health-care facilities. Factors determining where treatment was sought often involved relevant policies, trust in the supplier and the drug, disease severity, and whether the antibiotic was intended for a child. Confusion regarding how to identify oral antibiotics was revealed in both Africa and Asia.

Interpretation: Contextual complexities and differences between countries with different incomes, policy frameworks, and cultural norms were revealed. These contextual differences render a single strategy inadequate and instead necessitate context-tailored, integrated intervention packages to improve antibiotic use in LMICs as part of global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance.

Funding: Wellcome Trust and Volkswagen Foundation.

Figure 1

Reasons for choosing the selected first point of contact in case of mild and severe illness for household members For mild illness in Ghana and Thailand, more than one option was selected in similar proportions to those shown.

Figure 2

Reported indications for antibiotics obtained at drug suppliers through exit interviews and reported antibiotic use by household members in the past month, obtained through household surveys Bars represent counts of individuals with specific indication, counts are not mutually exclusive except for the “Others” category. Respiratory category includes throat, cough, nose, chest pain, and dyspnoea symptoms. Systemic category includes headache, non-localised pain, weakness, and fever symptoms. Genitourinary category includes sexually transmitted infections, gynaecological, male genital, and urinary tract infection.