Effect of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A point-of-care testing on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory-tract infections at village clinics in China: A study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is a globally recognised public health threat. In rural China, antibiotic use is common for acute respiratory infections (ARIs), which include symptoms such as coughing and fever that are most likely viral infections but with a small proportion as bacterial infections. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive intervention based on C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A point-of-care testing (CRP&SAA POCT) in reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics for ARIs in Chinese village clinics.

Methods

This is a pragmatic, parallel-group, controlled, cluster-randomised, superiority trial featuring blinded outcome evaluation and data analysis, along with unblinded treatment. This study will be conducted over a period of s

SUBMITTER: Xu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12416646 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature