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Metaphors to Enhance Antibiotic Appropriate Use Knowledge and Behaviours to Reduce Educational Disparities

NCT07352371 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 866

Last updated 2026-01-22

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

A randomized controlled survey experiment was conducted from October to November 2024 to assess the effectiveness of metaphor-based health education in improving Chinese parents' knowledge and behavioural intentions regarding appropriate antibiotic use. A total of 866 parents from two Chinese provinces were randomly assigned to either a metaphorical message group (n = 432) or a conventional message group (n = 434). Metaphors included comparing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to insect resistance to pesticides, improper antibiotic disposal to mercury battery pollution, and antibiotic-free foods to organic foods. Outcomes measured were AMR knowledge, willingness to pay (WTP) for antibiotic-free foods, and proper antibiotic disposal intention.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

metaphorical messages

We created three specific pairs: the first explained mechanisms of AMR, comparing resistant bacteria to pesticide-resistant insects. The second addressed environmental contamination by likening antibiotics to mercury batteries. The third used the analogy of "organic" food to convey the concept of antibiotic-free animal foods. All metaphorical messages were reviewed by a panel of experts in public health, clinical microbiology, health communication, and health education to ensure factual consistency and clarity.

BEHAVIORAL

conventional messages

The conventional messages were adapted from formal health communication sources, such as the World Health Organization and the Chinese National Health Commission, and retained the technical tone typical of official health education materials (China NHC, 2010; He, 2018; WHO, 2022).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hangzhou Normal University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Bo Yan

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-10-16
Primary Completion
2024-11-10
Completion
2024-11-10

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07352371 on ClinicalTrials.gov