# Healthcare workers´ perspectives on antibiotic utilization in children under five years of age in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

## TL;DR

This study explores how healthcare workers in the Eastern DRC view antibiotic use for children under five, highlighting challenges like self-medication and weak healthcare systems.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into healthcare workers' perspectives on antibiotic use in a low-resource setting, emphasizing systemic and community-driven factors.

## Key findings

- Healthcare providers in Eastern DRC observe widespread self-medication practices among children due to financial constraints.
- Antibiotic use is influenced by systemic limitations and community expectations despite awareness of misuse risks.
- Healthcare workers report increasing treatment failures linked to antibiotic overuse and resistance.

## Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance remains a pressing global challenge, driving efforts worldwide to reduce antibiotic consumption and mitigate its emergence and spread. The aim of this study was to describe how utilizing antibiotics for children under five years of age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experienced by various healthcare providers. A phenomenographic approach was employed to analyse data from individual interviews with 14 healthcare workers of the Eastern DRC, including medical doctors, nurses and practicing pharmacists. Two overarching themes with their corresponding categories emerged: “Factors influencing antibiotic use” and “Operating within a weak healthcare system”. Healthcare providers consistently described widespread self-medication practices in children, driven largely by financial constraints within the population. Although many providers recognized the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic use, their decisions were heavily influenced by systemic limitations and community expectations. A major concern raised was the increasing failure of antibiotics in treatment. This study highlights the complex factors shaping antibiotic use and prescription practices in Eastern DRC, where healthcare workers operate within a fragmented healthcare system. Addressing antibiotic resistance in such settings requires coordinated local and global efforts focused on promoting responsible antibiotic use, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, providing continuous education, establishing national guidelines, and improving community awareness and access to quality care.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13756-025-01596-5.