Evaluation of a regional information campaign on the appropriate use of antibiotics: a prospective controlled study

Study type

• Study type:
  Non-interventional study
• Scope of the study:
  Drug utilisation

  Effectiveness study (incl. comparative)

Population studied

• Age groups:
  Preterm newborn infants (0 – 27 days)

  Term newborn infants (0 – 27 days)

  Infants and toddlers (28 days – 23 months)

  Children (2 to < 12 years)

  Adolescents (12 to < 18 years)

  Adults (18 to < 46 years)

  Adults (46 to < 65 years)

  Adults (65 to < 75 years)

  Adults (75 to < 85 years)

  Adults (85 years and over)
• Estimated number of subjects:
  4400000

Study design details

• Main study objective:
  To evaluate the change in the average prescribing rate of antibiotics following a regional information campaign in the Emilia-Romagna (4,4 millions inhabitants), based on ad hoc leaflets, posters and a short video plus posting on the web and use of videoterminals in railway stations.
• Outcomes:
  The change in the average prescribing rate of antibiotics (J01 codes of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System) to outpatients during the year 2015 with a focus on the January-March 2015 period, expressed as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants/day. compared to the same period of time in the previous year.
• Data analysis plan:
  Changes in the prescribing rate of antibiotics in Emilia-Romagna (vs 2014 and the same period of the previous year) will be assessed for total population and for age categories and compared to prescribing changes in the rest of Italy and in groups of regions comparable for population structure and J01 prescription rates, taking the possible implementation of specific policies on antibiotics in other regions into account.