Behavioural interventions and theories to reduce antibiotic misuse in health care settings in low and middle-income countries between 2015-2025: a scoping review protocol

<ns3:p> Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the leading causes of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A significant and modifiable contributor to AMR in these settings is the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. Behavioural interventions have emerged as a low-cost and effective strategy to address this issue. However, the replication and implementation of such interventions are often hindered by inconsistencies in the underlying theoretical frameworks. This scoping review aims to map behavioural interventions and theories applied to address antibiotic prescribing practices in LMICs. Methods This review will be conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework for scoping reviews. Results Findings from the review are anticipated by January 2026. Conclusion This scoping review will inform the utilisation of behavioural interventions and theories utilised to derive the intervention and hence contribute to reducing AMR. DOI: <ns3:ext-link xmlns:ns4="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="uri" ns4:href="http://www.doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8FAUS">10.17605/OSF.IO/8FAUS</ns3:ext-link> </ns3:p>