Antibiotic Prescribing Practices and Perceptions on Antimicrobial Resistance among Healthcare Practitioners in Russia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat. The misuse of antibiotics is the main factor contributing to the development of AMR. Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) play a crucial role in the use of antibiotics. There are limited data available on antibiotic prescribing patterns among physicians in Russia. The aim of this study was to explore antibiotic prescribing practices and perceptions of AMR among HCPs in the Russian Federation. A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was used. A survey using an online questionnaire was conducted among HCPs. A qualitative study was conducted before the questionnaire was developed. The online questionnaire was distributed via email addresses obtained from the Consilium Medicum database, a specialised educational resource for healthcare professionals in Russia. In total, 746 HCPs from 74 regions of the Russian Federation were included in the study. Physicians who participated in this study did not frequently prescribe antibiotic drugs: 40.6% of participants recommended antibiotics less than five times per week. Gynaecologists, paediatricians, family doctors and surgeons were the least likely study participants to prescribe antibiotics, whereas clinical pharmacologists, otolaryngologists, urologists and infectious disease specialists prescribed antibiotics more often. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were the most frequently prescribed antimicrobials. The majority of HCPs in Russia who took part in this survey reported relying on national guidelines for information on antibiotic prescribing. Only 67.8% of study participants perceived AMR as a challenge for their practice. Health authorities should regularly provide up-to-date reliable information on AMR in the region. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes are important for specialised medical professionals, such as urologists, gynaecologists and otolaryngologists, since they are responsible for prescribing second-line antibiotics, which carries with it a greater responsibility.