# Antibiotic Resistance Awareness and Prescribing Behavior Among General Practitioners in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan

## TL;DR

This study explores antibiotic resistance awareness and prescribing practices among general practitioners in four Central Asian countries, finding high awareness but knowledge gaps and a need for better guidelines.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into antibiotic prescribing behaviors and knowledge gaps among GPs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

## Key findings

- 71.1% of physicians acknowledged their antibiotic prescribing influences antibiotic resistance in their regions.
- 27.1% of GPs were unaware of delayed antibiotic prescribing as a strategy.
- 94.4% of GPs indicated a need for additional resources to support rational antibiotic prescribing.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Despite a wide range of international studies examining antibiotic prescribing practices among physicians, research from Central Asia remains scarce. To address this gap, the present study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance awareness and prescribing practices among general practitioners (GPs) in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Methods: The online questionnaire was completed by 1231 GPs, including 469 from Kazakhstan, 274 from Kyrgyzstan, 369 from Uzbekistan, and 119 from Tajikistan. Results: Most physicians (71.1%) acknowledged that their antibiotic prescribing behavior influences the development of antibiotic resistance in their regions. More than half reported discussing antibiotic resistance with their patients often or very often. However, the strategy of delayed antibiotic prescribing was unknown to 27.1% of GPs. Factors associated with good knowledge of indications for antibiotic prescribing included female sex, older age, working in Uzbekistan, practicing in urban areas, seeing 20 or more patients per day, and use of practice guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines were the most frequently reported source of current information on antibiotic therapy and resistance (20.4%), followed by continuing professional education (15.9%) and textbooks (14.1%). The vast majority of GPs (94.4%) indicated a need for additional information resources to support more rational antibiotic prescribing. The most commonly cited needs were higher-quality clinical practice guidelines (22.5%) and better access to existing guidelines (17.7%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, despite generally high awareness of antibiotic resistance, important knowledge gaps remain among GPs in Central Asia. Strengthening access to clinical guidelines and continuing professional education may support more rational antibiotic prescribing.