Effect of a Health Education Program on Teachers' Antibiotic Use Practices

NCT07371507 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: HMU-AR-TEACHERS-RCT-2026HMU-CON-ETH-249-2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 106
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem caused in part by inappropriate use of antibiotics. Teachers play an important role in shaping health knowledge and behaviors within schools and communities. This study evaluates the effect of a structured health education program on teachers' antibiotic use practices among high school teachers in the Koya District, Erbil City, Iraq. In this randomized controlled trial, eligible teachers were assigned to either an intervention group that received a targeted health education program on appropriate antibiotic use and resistance prevention, or a control group that did not receive the program during the study period. Teachers' antibiotic use practices were assessed before and after the intervention using a structured questionnaire. The goal of this study is to determine whether a health education program can improve responsible antibiotic use practices and reduce behaviors that contribute to antibiotic resistance. The findings may help inform future school-based health education strategies aimed at preventing antibiotic resistance at the community level.

Conditions

Antibiotic Resistance Prevention

Keywords

Antibiotic Resistance; Health Education; Teachers; Antibiotic Use Practices; Randomized Controlled Trial; School-Based Intervention; Behavioral Intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Antibiotic Use Practice Score

  Change in teachers' antibiotic use practice score measured using the Antibiotic Use Practice Questionnaire, a validated 16-item self-reported scale assessing appropriate antibiotic use, completion of prescribed treatment courses, avoidance of self-medication, and behaviors related to antibiotic resistance prevention. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never to 5 = always), resulting in a total score range of 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating better and more appropriate antibiotic use practices.

  From baseline (pre-intervention) to post-intervention (approximately 8 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received a structured health education program focused on appropriate antibiotic use, completion of prescribed treatment courses, avoidance of self-medication, and prevention of bacterial antibiotic resistance.

Other: Behavioral

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive the health education intervention during the study period and continued their usual practices without additional educational input.

Interventions

Behavioral OTHER

A structured health education program delivered to high school teachers, focusing on appropriate antibiotic use, risks of antibiotic misuse, completion of prescribed treatment courses, avoidance of self-medication, and prevention of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The program was delivered through interactive educational sessions supported by informational materials. Other Name: Health Education Program on Antibiotic Use and Resistance

Also known as: Health Education Program on Antibiotic Use and Resistance

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 22 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• High school teachers currently employed in Koya District, Erbil City, Iraq.
• Available during the study period.
• Willing to participate in the health education program and complete the study questionnaires.
• Provided written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Teachers who previously participated in similar training programs related to antibiotic use or resistance.
• Teachers involved in the pilot study.
• Teachers who were absent during data collection periods.
• Teachers who declined participation or did not complete the pre- or post-intervention assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hawler Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

High Schools in Koya District, Erbil City

Erbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq

Location

Related Publications (1)

• World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Lecturer / Researcher

Model Details: Eligible teachers were individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving a structured health education program or a control group receiving no intervention during the study period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 19, 2026
• First Posted: January 28, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2025
• Study Completion: July 1, 2025
• Last Updated: February 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (1)