Problems of antimicrobial resistance in the primary health care system (results of the sociological study)

Abstract

Objective: Aim: To assess the level of awareness of primary health care physicians regarding the problem of antimicrobial resistance and identify the main obstacles to the rational use of antibiotics in practice.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: A sociological survey was conducted among primary health care physicians using a specially designed questionnaire containing questions on knowledge, antibiotic prescribing practices, and ways to address the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The survey was conducted in January 2025. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the results obtained from 221 respondents.

Results: Results: Most respondents (about 90%) encountered cases of antimicrobial resistance in their work. The respondents named the following as the main reasons: the use of antibiotics without a prescription (87.8% of respondents), their excessive use (80.1%), and non-compliance by patients with the course of treatment (77.8%). Analysis of the responses shows that respondents sometimes prescribe antibiotics from the watch and reserve groups (53.4% and 29%, respectively), regularly prescribe antibiotics without a prescription (14%), use injectable antibiotics (21% of respondents); 54.3% note that patients often take antibiotics on their own.

Conclusion: Conclusions: The survey results show that antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem in the primary healthcare system. Primary care physicians often do not follow recommendations for selecting and prescribing antibiotics. Effectively solving the problem requires a comprehensive approach, which should include improving antibiotic stewardship, increasing the level of knowledge of medical professionals, and widely informing the population about their proper use.

Keywords: antibiotic stewardship; antibiotics prescription; antimicrobial resistance; primary health care.