Results of a Survey of Pediatricians of the Kyrgyz Republic on Nasal Vasoconstrictors

Optimization of clinical use of nasal decongestants requires further evidence and research. The aim: to assess the level of knowledge and current practice on the prescription of vasoconstrictor drugs for nasal obstruction by primary health care physicians and hospitals in the Kyrgyz Republic. Materials and methods: the study was conducted at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. A questionnaire was developed that included: the specialty, position and place of work of doctors, questions about their awareness of vasoconstrictor drugs, modern treatment regimens for nasal obstruction in children. The survey was of a mass nature and was conducted from January 8 to February 18, 2025 and covered all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. The SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science) program was used. Results and discussion. The respondents were mostly doctors from Bishkek (72.9%) and Batken region (13.8%). The survey showed that the most active participants in this study were pediatricians (41.5%), general practitioners/family doctors (25.3%). Kyrgyz doctors prescribed nasal decongestants in 51.2% (n=85) of cases of nasal obstruction. 24% (n=40) of practical healthcare physicians of the Kyrgyz Republic prescribe decongestants extremely rarely, and in 17.4% (n=29) of cases, physicians do not resort to prescribing vasoconstrictor drugs. 41.5% of physicians believe that drugs for the treatment of nasal obstruction should be prescribed to children under 1 year of age in less than 20% of cases. Conclusions. Prescribing nasal vasoconstrictors is an important component of therapy for acute respiratory diseases accompanied by nasal obstruction, provided that the generally accepted rules for prescribing such drugs to children are followed.