Factors influencing choices of empirical antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections in a scenario-based survey in Vietnam
Vu TLH., Vu QD., Hoang BL., Nguyen TCT., Ta TDN., Nadjm B., van Doorn HR.
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes have been implemented around the world to guide rational use of antibiotics but implementation is challenging, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Vietnam. Understanding factors influencing doctors’ prescribing choices for empirical treatment can help design AMS interventions in these settings.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objectives</jats:title> <jats:p>To understand doctors’ choices of antibiotics for empirical treatment of common bacterial infections and the factors influencing decision-making.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We conducted a cross-sectional survey among medical professionals applying for a postgraduate programme at Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam. We used a published survey developed for internal medicine doctors in Canada. The survey was self-administered and included four clinical scenarios: (i) severe undifferentiated sepsis; (ii) mild undifferentiated sepsis; (iii) severe genitourinary infection; and (iv) mild genitourinary infection.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>A total of 1011/1280 (79%), 683/1188 (57.5%), 718/1157 (62.1%) and 542/1062 (51.0%) of the participants selected combination therapy for empirical treatment in scenarios 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Undifferentiated sepsis (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.46–2.27 and 2.18, 1.51–3.16 compared with genitourinary) and severe infection (1.33, 1.24–1.43 and 1.38, 1.21–1.58 compared with mild) increased the likelihood of choosing a combination therapy and a carbapenem regimen, respectively. Participants with higher acceptable minimum threshold for treatment coverage and young age were also more likely to prescribe carbapenems.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>Decision-making in antibiotic prescribing among doctors in Vietnam is influenced by both disease-related characteristics and individual factors, including acceptable minimum treatment coverage. These findings are useful for tailoring AMS implementation in Vietnam and other, similar settings.</jats:p> </jats:sec>