Implementation research for promoting access and rational use of antibiotics for children: lessons learnt from Tanzania.

Implementation research (IR) has proved to be a potential catalyst in facilitating the uptake of evidence-based innovations into routine practices and thereby maximizing public health outcomes. IR not only focuses on the effectiveness of the innovations but also identifies and addresses the barriers and facilitators to maximize their uptake into routine practices. This article describes the processes undertaken to implement a research project aimed at promoting access and rational use of antibiotics for children (PARAC). It also provides an overview of the lessons learnt during its implementation in Tanzanian hospital and community settings.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

During the workshop discussions, especially when the stakeholders were formulating actionable recommendations, there were always facilitator (in favour) and barrier (against) sides. However, conflict of interest among the stakeholders is something that needs to be clearly stated (noted) at the beginning of the IR process. For example, during the discussion on whether to include rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in the community pharmacies, there were conflicting interests between different professionals (pharmacy, medical and laboratory medicine). Some stakeholders thought that including RDTs in the community pharmacies was shifting the role of pharmacies from being dispensing outlets to health centres.