Exploring Gender-Specific Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance Among Women in SEAR Countries: A Scoping Review
摘要
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health threat, specifically in Southeast Asia (SEAR) countries, where its impact on women’s health is often overlooked. This chapter aims to document gender-specific differences in AMR patterns and identify factors contributing to its prevalence among women in SEAR countries. The chapter followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was used such as electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, alongside gray literature sources. The primary research question focused on gender-specific differences in AMR patterns among women, supported by secondary questions addressing contributing factors and healthcare dynamics. A total of 18 relevant studies were included after rigorous screening and quality assessment. The findings reveal limited documentation on gender-specific trends in AMR, with evidence describing that women may face a disproportionate impact from drug-resistant infections. Key subthemes identified include gender-specific differences in AMR patterns, factors contributing to AMR trends in women such as power dynamics, social roles and responsibility, and biological factors. These findings have multiple implications for women’s health including economic, sociocultural, and clinical burdens. The review underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive approaches in AMR surveillance and intervention strategies. Despite the critical role of gender in influencing health outcomes, over 70% of countries fail to address these disparities in their national AMR plans. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating gender considerations into public health policies to effectively combat AMR and raise women’s health results in SEAR countries. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions for addressing these gender-specific challenges.