Who gets what and when? Pathways of antibiotic use for humans and animals in Bangladesh

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant problem In Bangladesh. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are known to be present in drinking water and sewage in Dhaka city and have been detected in humans. Inappropriate prescribing practices and an over-reliance on antibiotics have been documented in Bangladesh. Unqualified practitioners are the major providers of health care for the poor and disadvantaged in Bangladesh. Retail drug shops are the preferred first point of contact for meeting the health needs of a majority of the population, with an estimated 100,000 licensed retail drug shops and a further 100,000 unlicensed retail drug shops selling prescription-only drugs and antibiotics. These providers fill an important gap in healthcare delivery. Little is known about the pathways be which people access antibiotics for themselves, those they care for, or their animals, nor the different roles of qualified and unqualified workers in these pathways. Using qualitative research methods, this study aims to conduct integrated research on to understand:
- the behaviours and needs of people in Bangladesh seeking antibiotics for themselves, their family members and their livestock;
- the behaviours and needs of all those who sell or prescribe antibiotics, and their understanding of antibiotic resistance in humans and animals;
- the extent of knowledge and awareness of antibiotic resistance among people, practitioners and antibiotic providers.