Greer R.C.Althaus T.Dittrich S.Butler C.C.Cheah P.Y.Wangrangsimakul T.Smithuis F.M.Day N.P.J.Lubell Y.Mahidol University2023-07-292023-07-292023-01-24Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings Vol.11 No.1 (2023)https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/88135C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing can reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary care patients with febrile and respiratory illness, yet little is known about its effects on treatment-seeking behavior. If patients go on to source antibiotics else-where, the impact of CRP testing will be limited. A randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of CRP testing on antibiotic prescriptions in Myanmar and Thai primary care patients with a febrile ill-ness. Here we report patients’ treatment-seeking behavior before and during the two-week study period. Self-reported antibiotic use is compared against urine antibacterial activity. Patients’ opinions towards CRP testing were evaluated. Antibiotic use before study enrolment was reported by 5.4% while antimicrobial activity was detected in 20.8% of samples tested. During the study period, 14.8% of the patients sought additional healthcare, and 4.3% sourced their own antibiotics. Neither were affected by CRP testing. Overall, patients’ satisfaction with their care and CRP testing was high. CRP testing did not affect patients’ treatment-seeking behavior during the study period whilst modestly reducing antibiotic prescriptions. CRP testing appears to be acceptable to patients and their caregivers.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.4081/hls.2023.112782-s2.0-8516527663422817824