Antibiotic prescribing behavior among physicians in Asia: a multinational survey

Abstract Objective: To evaluate antibiotic prescribing behavior (APB) among physicians with various specialties in five Asian countries. Design: Survey of antibiotics three stages (initial, on-treatment, and de-escalation stages). Methods: Participants included internists, infectious diseases (ID) specialists, hematologists, intensivists, surgeons. Participants’ characteristics, patterns APB, perceptions antimicrobial stewardship were collected. A multivariate analysis was conducted to factors associated appropriate APB. Results: There 367 participants. The survey response rate 82.5% (367/445). For the initial stage, different had choices for empiric treatment. on-treatment if patient does not respond treatment, most respondents will step up broader-spectrum (273/367: 74.39%). 10%–60% depending on specialty. Most would de-escalate based guidelines (250/367: 68.12%). De-escalation mostly reported by ID specialists (66/106: 62.26%). Respondents who that they performed laboratory investigations prior empirical prescriptions (aOR = 2.83) use, while consultation management infections responding treatment 40.87); adherence national 2.57) successful carbapenem de-escalation. Conclusion: This study highlights variation practices gaps APB prescription specialties. Education investigation, partnership specialist, availability are critical help guide