Understanding the Drivers of Antibiotic use in the Treatment of Childhood Diarrhea and Relationship to Antibiotic Resistance in China
Summary
This project focuses on antibiotic use for treatment of diarrheal disease among children and the relationship to the development of antibacterial resistance in rural China. With data from an audit study in clinics and pharmacies and a micro-level survey of households in southwest China, I will explore the drivers of antibiotic use, both on the supply side with clinicians and pharmacists and the demand side among parents and caregivers, using machine learning-based quasi-experimental statistical analysis and agent-based modeling to identify various drivers of antibiotic demand, to simulate the effects of alternative policies on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, and to identify promising policies and interventions for future study. The outcomes of this research will contribute to knowledge of the behavioral drivers of population-level antibiotic use and resistance and support the development of policies and interventions suited to low and middle-income countries.