Social Dimensions of Antibiotic Resistance in Asia: a One Health Perspective

Funded by the European Commission, Sonar-Global is building a sustainable international social
sciences network to engage the active participation of the social sciences in preparedness and
response to infectious threats, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health concern, and a particular threat in Asia, where the
burden of infectious disease remains high, and antibiotic access and use have increased
dramatically. The largest volume of antibiotics is used in agriculture, with little monitoring or
regulation. In the human domain, antibiotics are often provided without health providers following
diagnostic guidelines; they are also sold widely over-the-counter (OTC) and taken in inappropriate
doses. These practices are entwined with the social, cultural, and economic context in which they
are found. They also have clear implications for the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Understanding the social dimensions of these practices is crucial to designing effective interventions
to mitigate the threat of antibiotic resistance.

To that end, on 14-15 September 2021, the AMR regional hub in Bangkok-Thailand, hosted a twoday online workshop, inviting researchers working in social sciences, ethics, public engagement, and
epidemiology related to AMR in Asia to share research findings and/or research plans.