An application of COM-b model to explore factors influencing veterinarians’ antimicrobial prescription behaviors: Findings from a qualitative study in Bangladesh

This study uses the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Behavior (COM-B) model to analyze the factors influencing veterinarians’ antimicrobial prescription behavior in Bangladesh. The research found that factors such as knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, ability to handle complex disease conditions, and appropriate antimicrobial type influence prescription behavior. Opportunities include lack of laboratory testing facilities, poor farm biosecurity, farm management, farming conditions, climate change impacts, animal clinical history, and social influence. Motivation is driven by national laws and guidelines, but perceived consequences like fear of treatment failure and economic losses demotivate veterinarians. The study recommends incorporating these factors into existing or novel AMS interventions.