According to statistics, 79% of antibiotics taken in Vietnam are over the recommended level, and antibiotics are most often prescribed unnecessarily.
Scientists also highlight the fact that most antibiotics in Vietnam are sold without prescriptions, with many sellers lacking proper qualifications and experience, but still prescribing medications to people independently.
In the context of limited resources, doctors face numerous challenges. Nearly half of the surveyed doctors reported that there is lack of training programmes. Knowledge gaps and patient expectations also contribute to this situation. A study by OUCRU conducted at 3 tertiary hospitals showed that 50% of surveyed doctors admitted to prescribing antibiotics frequently and more than necessary.
To improve the antibiotic resistance situation in Vietnam, the government has implemented antibiotic stewardship programs since 2016. To better understand the factors influencing antibiotic use decisions in Vietnamese hospital settings, the research team at OUCRU conducted a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and prescribing practices among doctors at tertiary hospitals in Vietnam, aiming to help guide the development of targeted interventions and policies to promote more effective antibiotic use, minimise unwanted consequences of antibiotic use, and preserve drug effectiveness for the future.
According to the Woolcock Medical Institute, citing a global study on non-prescription antibiotic use, the rate of self-purchased antibiotics in Vietnamese communities is 62%, which is significantly higher than countries like China at 36%, Indonesia 17%, India 18%, while the UK is only 3%. Another obstacle in changing antibiotic use behaviour in hospitals and communities is that patient expectations can pressure doctors into unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.