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Table 3 Frequency of responses under the main topics identified from the analysis

From: “I can make more from selling medicine when breaking the rules” – understanding the antibiotic supply network in a rural community in Viet Nam

Topics

Frequency among study participants

Interviews with suppliers (n = 16)

Interviews with community (n = 16)

Focus group discussions with community (n = 49)

Having awareness about antibiotic regulations

13 (81%)

  

Customers used previous prescription or others’ prescription

3 (19%)

4 (25%)

6 (12%)

Regulation enforcement is challenging

10 (62%)

  

Customers asked for specific antibiotics

7 (44%)

3 (19%)

 

Customers returned unused medicines

9 (56%)

1 (6%)

2 (4%)

Drug store as primary healthcare point of contact

 

9 (56%)

10 (20%)

Recalled common illness that antibiotics were sold/ purchased for (inflammation, sore throat, cold, headache)

13 (81%)

5 (31%)

8 (16%)

Reduce antibiotic sold would affect their business

9 (56%)

  

Selling/ purchasing incomplete antibiotic dose

15 (94%)

8 (50%)

7 (14%)

Customers do not complete their antibiotic course

11 (69%)

12 (75%)

17 (35%)

Keep selling unused medicines returned from customers

6 (37%)

 

1 (2%)

Knowledge: unsure about antibiotics

15 (94%)

  

Knowledge: unsure about antibiotic resistance

15 (94%)

  

Think that there are many suppliers in the area

6 (37%)

2 (12%)

9 (18%)

Selling antibiotics in a small plastic bag mixed with other medicines

9 (56%)

1 (6%) answered by respondent; 7 (44%) observed by interviewer

 

Antibiotics present an important revenue for the suppliers (20–40% total sales)

9 (56%)

  

Selling unnecessary antibiotics to increase revenue

4 (25%)

  

Sell antibiotics as customer preference

10 (62.5%)

4 (25%)

7 (14%)

Selling antibiotics for animals

2 (12%)

  

Selling antibiotics without prescription

15 (94%)

10 (62%)

22 (45%)

Selling unnecessary antibiotics

6 (37%)

2 (12%)

4 (8%)

Information sources for medicines from package inserts or from internet

12 (75%)

  

Source of supply for medicines was from pharmaceutical companies (get directly from the companies or delivered by the pharmaceutical representatives)

16 (100%)

  

Inappropriate storage condition

8 (50%)

  

Taking antibiotic as habit when get sick

 

6 (37%)

7 (14%)