Abstract

The causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in developing countries are complex and may be rooted in practices
of health care professionals and patients’ behavior towards the use of antimicrobials as well as supply chains of
antimicrobials in the population. Some of these factors may include inappropriate prescription practices, inadequate
patient education, limited diagnostic facilities, unauthorized sale of antimicrobials, lack of appropriate functioning
drug regulatory mechanisms, and non-human use of antimicrobials such as in animal production. Considering that
these factors in developing countries may vary from those in developed countries, intervention efforts in developing
countries need to address the context and focus on the root causes specific to this part of the world. Here, we describe
these health-seeking behaviors that lead to the threat of AMR and healthcare practices that drive the development
of AMR in developing countries and we discuss alternatives for disease prevention as well as other treatment options
worth exploring.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Causes and Control Strategies