scholarly journals Promoting rational antibiotic use in Turkey and among Turkish migrants in Europe – implications of a qualitative study in four countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Westerling ◽  
A. Daryani ◽  
O. Gershuni ◽  
K. Czabanowska ◽  
H. Brand ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the major threats to global health. The emergence of resistant microorganisms is a consequence of irrational use of antibiotics. In Turkey, the consumption of antibiotics is relatively high and antibiotics are among the most commonly used drugs. However, Turkey has adopted new, more restrictive policies and regulations on antibiotics. In addition, Turkish migrants to EU countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, may encounter health systems that promote a more restrictive and rational antibiotic use. The objective of this paper was to explore the variation in implemented policies related to rational antibiotic use that citizens in Turkey and Turkish migrants in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden are subjected to and to discuss the implications for the promotion of rational antibiotic use. Data were collected through focus groups and individual interviews with citizens, physicians and pharmacists in the four countries. In total, 130 respondents were interviewed. Content analysis was used. Results Three relevant themes were identified: Implementation of regulations and recommendations, Access to antibiotics and Need for health communication. Irrational use of antibiotics was reported mainly in Turkey. While it had become less likely to get antibiotics without a prescription, non-prescribed antibiotics remained a problem in Turkey. In the three EU countries, there were also alternative ways of getting antibiotics. Low levels of knowledge about the rational antibiotic use were reported in Turkey, while there were several sources of information on this in the EU countries. Communication with and trust in physicians were considered to be important. There were also system barriers, such as lacking opportunities for physicians to manage care in accordance with current evidence in Turkey and factors limiting access to care in EU countries. Conclusions Several fields of importance for promoting rational antibiotic use were identified. There is a need for harmonisation of health-related regulations and policy programmes. Antibiotics should only be available with a prescription. Programmes for rational antibiotic use should be implemented on a broad scale, in medical care, at pharmacies and in the population. Methods for health communication and patient-centred care should be further developed and implemented in this field.

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Oghenekome A. Gbinigie ◽  
Elizabeth A. Spencer ◽  
Carl J. Heneghan ◽  
Joseph J. Lee ◽  
Christopher C. Butler

Background: Effective alternatives to antibiotics for alleviating symptoms of acute infections may be appealing to patients and enhance antimicrobial stewardship. Cranberry-based products are already in wide use for symptoms of acute urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise the supporting evidence. Methods: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Searches were conducted of Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl, The Cochrane library, Clinicaltrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies evaluating the effect of cranberry extract in the management of acute, uncomplicated UTI on symptoms, antibiotic use, microbiological assessment, biochemical assessment and adverse events. Study risk of bias assessments were made using Cochrane criteria. Results: We included three RCTs (n = 688) judged to be at moderate risk of bias. One RCT (n = 309) found that advice to consume cranberry juice had no statistically significant effect on UTI frequency symptoms (mean difference (MD) −0.01 (95% CI: −0.37 to 0.34), p = 0.94)), on UTI symptoms of feeling unwell (MD 0.02 (95% CI: −0.36 to 0.39), p = 0.93)) or on antibiotic use (odds ratio 1.27 (95% CI: 0.47 to 3.43), p = 0.64), when compared with promoting drinking water. One RCT (n = 319) found no symptomatic benefit from combining cranberry juice with immediate antibiotics for an acute UTI, compared with placebo juice combined with immediate antibiotics. In one RCT (n = 60), consumption of cranberry extract capsules was associated with a within-group improvement in urinary symptoms and Escherichia coli load at day 10 compared with baseline (p < 0.01), which was not found in untreated controls (p = 0.72). Two RCTs were under-powered to detect differences between groups for outcomes of interest. There were no serious adverse effects associated with cranberry consumption. Conclusion: The current evidence base for or against the use of cranberry extract in the management of acute, uncomplicated UTIs is inadequate; rigorous trials are needed.


Pharmacy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumar Bassoum ◽  
Ndèye Sougou ◽  
Mayassine Diongue ◽  
Mamadou Lèye ◽  
Mouhamad Mbodji ◽  
...  

Background: Bacterial resistance is a major public health problem worldwide. One solution to this scourge is to sensitize the general public on rational use of antibiotics. Our goal was to assess people’s knowledge and opinions about antibiotic use and bacterial resistance in an urban setting. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling was done. A questionnaire was administered to 400 persons during face-to-face interviews. Results: Most respondents thought that antibiotics are effective against colds/flu (69.8%), cough (72.3%) and sore throat (64.4%). At the same time, 42.8% stated that antibiotic therapy can be stopped as soon as the symptoms disappear. Only 8.8% and 41.8% of people knew that handwashing and vaccination prevented bacterial resistance. Globally, 7% of people had a good knowledge. Socio-demographic variables were not associated with the level of knowledge. The main sources of information were entourage and pharmacy staff. Regarding the opinions, 78.3% of surveyed participants the people thought that that people overuse antibiotics. Additionally, 28% said that they have no role to play against bacterial resistance. Conclusion: People living in an urban setting had a low knowledge about antibiotic use and bacterial resistance. There is a need to implement awareness campaigns. Further studies on population practices toward antibiotic use are necessary.


Headline THE NETHERLANDS: Social unrest is warning for others


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADEM KOSE

Abstract Background Irrational antibiotic use can adversely affect treatment outcomes or even lead to increased antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to determine antimicrobial prescribing habits and to evaluate the level of theoretical knowledge of rational antibiotic use and awareness about antimicrobial resistance among the senior students of medical faculty and the family physicians in Malatya province in Turkey. Methods This study was cross-sectional research and was carried out between dates of 01 February-30 April 2019, in Malatya province. Power analysis was calculated as minimum 240 participants when considering a proportion difference of 0.18 between the groups, a type I error of 0.05 and a type II error of 0.20. A total 225 senior students in Inonu University Medical Faculty (Group 1) and 230 actively-working family physicians in Malatya primary healthcare services who were found eligible (Group 2) were included in to this study. A questionnaire form was prepared including seven sections and thirty questions. All of the participants were interviewed face to face. Before the questions, the purpose of the study and the contents of the questions were explained to participants. Qualitative data were analyzed by Pearson chi-square test. A p<0.05 value was considered to be statistically significant. Results The group 1 had a tendency to apply to specialist physician when starting to themselves antibiotic treatment, they were more cautious when making antibiotic decision, and their theoretical knowledge level was better. They argued that penal sanctions could be more effective by developing strict use policies to raise awareness of resistance to antibiotics. The group 2 had higher self-confidence and it was also concluded that forgot their theoretical antibiotic knowledge over time and could not follow the novel information because of the intensity of working life. Both groups stated that post-graduation trainings could be used effectively for reducing the antibiotic resistance. Conclusion This study highlighted the need for immediate action of training and corrective actions and might create awareness to determine the difference in theoretical knowledge levels and behavior models of physicians before and after graduation and to reduce higher use rates to lower levels. Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic, awareness, rational use


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-739
Author(s):  
Bahram Mohebbi ◽  
Azar Tol ◽  
Roya Sadeghi ◽  
Mehdi Yaseri ◽  
Negar Akbari Somar ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Jakeman ◽  
James A Oxley ◽  
Sara C Owczarczak-Garstecka ◽  
Carri Westgarth

Dog bite injuries are a significant public health problem and many are sustained by children. These injuries can be complex, both physically and psychologically, and in rare cases fatal. This paper will review current evidence-based approaches to treatment, explore identified patterns in biting incidents and discuss the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Safe management of these patients requires a comprehensive approach. Physical injuries need to be accurately assessed with a high index of suspicion for underlying injuries, particularly in younger children less able to communicate. Treatment depends on severity and location, but all bites must be irrigated to reduce the risk of infection but may not always require prophylactic antibiotic use. Careful exploration of the circumstances in which the bite occurred is essential to make safeguarding decisions and prevent future bites. Reducing the incidence of paediatric dog bites requires education of both children and parents that any dog can bite, regardless of breed, and all child–dog interactions must be highly supervised. However, education alone is unlikely to prevent dog bites. Policies that support environmental changes need to be developed such as provision of pet dogs less likely to bite (or bite as severely), through breeding for temperament and appropriate socialisation. Additionally, investment in psychological support for bite victims and their families is required to reduce the long-term impacts of being bitten.


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