Impact of demographic and professional factors on antibiotic prescription patterns in the post-COVID-19 era

This study examines self-reported changes in antibiotic prescribing practices among 222 physicians post-COVID-19, focusing on factors influencing these changes. The sample had a mean age of 47.7 years (SD = 11.1), with 62.2% female participants. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression to identify predictors of prescribing changes. Physicians reporting changes were more likely to prescribe antibiotics due to patient demand (U = 2725, p < 0.001), time constraints (U = 3158, p < 0.01), concerns about complications (U = 2803, p < 0.01), and peer behavior (U = 3190, p < 0.01). Logistic regression revealed that age predicted changes in prescribing behavior (OR = 1.0831, p = 0.029), while professional experience (OR = 0.9274, p = 0.044) and additional specializations (OR = 0.3835, p = 0.023) were inversely related. Residence in villages showed a trend toward increased prescribing (OR = 7.8055, p = 0.097). These findings underscore the influence of demographic, professional, and geographic factors on antibiotic prescribing practices. Future research should investigate the long-term effects on antibiotic resistance and evaluate targeted interventions to address the identified drivers of prescribing behavior.