scholarly journals Determinants of Clinician and Patient to Prescription of Antimicrobials: Case of Mulanje, Southern Malawi

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morris Chalusa ◽  
Felix Khuluza ◽  
Chiwoza Bandawe
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Inappropriate Prescription ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Medical Assistants ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Clinical Officers ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescription

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem in low- and middle-income countries. The problem is exacerbated by inappropriate prescription of antimicrobials. Factors leading to overuse or inappropriate prescription of antimicrobials by the cadre of medical assistants, clinical technicians and clinical officers have received limited attention. This study investigated factors that influence prescription behaviours of antimicrobials among clinical officers in various health facilities in Mulanje district, Southern Malawi. Methods: In-depth interviews (n=18) and focus group discussions (n=2) were conducted with COs from four health facilities in Mulanje district. Purposive sampling was done to arrive at a sample size of 30 health cadres. Results: Participants pointed out that patient preferences, belief and clinicians’ inadequate education on this issue were among the factors that contribute to inappropriate antimicrobial prescription. 75-% of clinicians showed lack of knowledge on the definition of antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance.Conclusion: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is facilitated by prescribing decisions made by clinicians who are greatly influenced by their patients. Interventions aimed at improving antimicrobial prescription should target both clinicians and patients.

scholarly journals Determinants of Clinician and Patient to prescription of antimicrobials: case of Mulanje, Southern Malawi

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morris Chalusa ◽  
Felix Khuluza ◽  
Chiwoza Bandawe
Keyword(s):  
Health Facilities ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Inappropriate Prescription ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Medical Assistants ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Clinical Officers ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescription

Abstract BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem in low- and middle-income countries. The problem is exacerbated by inappropriate prescription of antimicrobials. Factors leading to overuse or inappropriate prescription of antimicrobials by the cadre of medical assistants, clinical technicians and clinical officers have received limited attention. This study investigated factors that influence prescription behaviours of antimicrobials among clinical officers in various health facilities in Mulanje district, Southern Malawi. MethodsIn-depth interviews (n=18) and focus group discussions (n=2) were conducted with COs from four health facilities in Mulanje district. Purposive sampling was done to arrive at a sample size of 30 health cadres. ResultsParticipants pointed out that patient preferences, belief and clinicians’ inadequate education on this issue were among the factors that contribute to inappropriate antimicrobial prescription. 75-% of clinicians showed lack of knowledge on the definition of antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. ConclusionInappropriate use of antimicrobials is facilitated by prescribing decisions made by clinicians who are greatly influenced by their patients. Interventions aimed at improving antimicrobial prescription should target both clinicians and patients.

scholarly journals Analysis of patterns of antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (01) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anant Nepal ◽  
Delia Hendrie ◽  
Suzanne Robinson ◽  
Linda A Selvey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Who Guidelines ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Introduction: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is recognised as a leading cause of antibiotic resistance. Little is known about antibiotic prescribing practices at public health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. We examined patterns of antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities in Nepal and explored factors influencing these practices. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities was conducted in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Six public health facilities were selected based on WHO guidelines, and data were extracted from administrative records for 6,860 patient encounters. Patterns of antibiotic prescribing were investigated using descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests and logistic regressions were applied to explore factors associated with antibiotic prescribing. Results: Of patients attending public health facilities, the proportion prescribed at least one antibiotic (44.7%) was approximately twice the WHO recommended value (20.0 to 26.8%). The antibiotic prescribing rate for hospital inpatients (64.6%) was higher than for other facilities, with the prescribing rate also high in primary health care centres (50.4%) and health posts (52.2%). The most frequently (29.9%) prescribed antibiotic classes were third-generation cephalosporins. Females (p = 0.005) and younger (p < 0.001) patients were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics. High prescribing rates of antibiotics for selected diseases appeared contrary to international recommendations. Conclusion: Antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities was high compared with WHO guidelines, suggesting the need for strategies to reduce misuse of antibiotics. This study provides useful information to assist in formulating policies and guidelines to promote more appropriate use of antibiotics in Nepal.

scholarly journals Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance: Adjusting the Response to Future Outbreaks

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Doris Rusic ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
Josipa Bukic ◽  
Dario Leskur ◽  
Ana Seselja Perisin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Multiresistant Pathogens ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
Preventative Measures

The net effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the response to it on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance is yet unknown. Positive impacts on the spread of multiresistant pathogens and infections in general may be observed with the implementation of general preventative measures for the spread of infectious disease such as social distancing, reduced travel and increased personal hygiene. This pandemic has accelerated the development of novel technologies, such as mRNA vaccines, that may be used to fight other diseases. These should be capitalized upon to manage the ongoing antimicrobial resistance pandemic in the background. However, it is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic is fueling the emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to high rates of inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing, the high use of biocides and the interruption of treatment for other conditions. Clinical uncertainty driven by the lack of effective diagnostics and practice of telemedicine may have driven the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. As pathogens know no borders, increased focus is needed for infectious diseases still threatening low- and middle-income countries such as tuberculosis. Stewardship measures for future outbreaks should stress the importance of social distancing and hand washing but discourage the overuse of disinfectants and antimicrobials that are not proven effective.

scholarly journals What are the barriers to implementing national antimicrobial resistance action plans? A novel mixed-methods policy analysis in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 973-982
Author(s):  
Mishal S Khan ◽  
Anna Durrance-Bagale ◽  
Ana Mateus ◽  
Zia Sultana ◽  
Rumina Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Financial Interests

Abstract Despite political commitment to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), countries are facing challenges to implementing policies to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics. Critical factors to the success of policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), such as capacity for enforcement, contestation by influential stakeholders and financial interests, have been insufficiently considered. Using Pakistan as a case study representing a populous country with extremely high antibiotic usage, we identified 195 actors who affect policies on antibiotic use in humans and animals through a snowballing process and interviewed 48 of these who were nominated as most influential. We used a novel card game-based methodology to investigate policy actors’ support for implementation of different regulatory approaches addressing actions of frontline healthcare providers and antibiotic producers across the One Health spectrum. We found that there was only widespread support for implementing hard regulations (prohibiting certain actions) against antibiotic suppliers with little power—such as unqualified/informal healthcare providers and animal feed producers—but not to target more powerful groups such as doctors, farmers and pharmaceutical companies. Policy actors had limited knowledge to develop implementation plans to address inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals, even though this was recognized as a critical driver of AMR. Our results indicate that local political and economic dynamics may be more salient to policy actors influencing implementation of AMR national action plans than solutions presented in global guidelines that rely on implementation of hard regulations. This highlights a disconnect between AMR action plans and the local contexts where implementation takes place. Thus if the global strategies to tackle AMR are to become implementable policies in LMIC, they will need greater appreciation of the power dynamics and systemic constraints that relate to many of the strategies proposed.

scholarly journals Practice of dispensing antimicrobial medicines from community pharmacies

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Amirkhanyan ◽  
L Vardanyan ◽  
A Sevikyan ◽  
I Kazaryan ◽  
M Melikyan
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Professional Knowledge ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Rational Use Of Medicines ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Otc Medicines

Abstract Background Inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines is one of the main causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The objective of this work was to study the situation on dispensing antimicrobials from pharmacy outlets in Armenia. Methods The study was implemented in 30 community pharmacies from different regions of Yerevan. Medicines dispensed to 900 patients/caregivers (30 visitors in each pharmacy outlet) were analyzed. The following indicators were calculated: the percentage of antimicrobials prescribed by physicians, the percentage of visitors, who got antimicrobials without providing a prescription and so on. Results Antimicribials (n = 171) consisted 11.3% of all the dispensed medicines (N = 1513). Only 25 (14.6%) antimicrobials were dispensed to visitors who had prescriptions. Only 19 (12.6%) of 151 medicines provided without prescription were OTC-medicines, other 132 (87.4%) were prescription only medicines. According to information received from visitors, 58.5% of all dispensed antimicrobials were selected by physicians, 10.5% of antimicrobials were advised by pharmacists and almost one third was selected by patients, family members, etc. More than 90% of the total number of visitors, whom antimicrobials were dispensed, got them without providing a prescription. 13 patients received 2 and more antimicrobials. Conclusions Many prescription only antimicrobials are dispensed from community pharmacies without prescription and some medicines are not prescribed by physicians. That means many antimicrobials are used inappropriately. There is need in strategy that could prevent dispensing antimicrobials without prescription. Key messages Dispensing prescription only antimicrobials without prescription can compromise rational use of medicines. Professional knowledge and public awareness about AMR should be improved.

Defining Preterm Birth and Stillbirth in the Western Pacific: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.

scholarly journals A road-map for addressing antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries: lessons learnt from the public private participation and co-designed antimicrobial stewardship programme in the State of Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Singh ◽  
Esmita Charani ◽  
Sarada Devi ◽  
Anuj Sharma ◽  
Fabia Edathadathil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
The State ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Public Health Threat

Abstract Background The global concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is gathering pace. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at the epicentre of this growing public health threat and governmental and healthcare organizations are at different stages of implementing action plans to tackle AMR. The South Indian state of Kerala was one of the first in India to implement strategies and prioritize activities to address this public health threat. Strategies Through a committed and collaborative effort from all healthcare related disciplines and its professional societies from both public and private sector, the Kerala Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been able to deliver a state-wide strategy to tackle AMR A multilevel strategic leadership model and a multilevel implementation approach that included developing state-wide antibiotic clinical guidelines, a revision of post-graduate and undergraduate medical curriculum, and a training program covering all general practitioners within the state the PPP proved to be a successful model for ensuring state-wide implementation of an AMR action plan. Collaborative work of multi-professional groups ensured co-design and development of disease based clinical treatment guidelines and state-wide infection prevention policy. Knowledge exchange though international and national platforms in the form of workshops for sharing of best practices is critical to success. Capacity building at both public and private institutions included addressing practical and local solutions to the barriers e.g. good antibiotic prescription practices from primary to tertiary care facility and infection prevention at all levels. Conclusion Through 7 years of stakeholder engagement, lobbying with government, and driving change through co-development and implementation, the PPP successfully delivered an antimicrobial stewardship plan across the state. The roadmap for the implementation of the Kerala PPP strategic AMR plan can provide learning for other states and countries aiming to implement action plans for AMR.

scholarly journals Efforts to Identify and Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Uganda: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Mark Tefero Kivumbi ◽  
Claire J. Standley
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
One Health ◽  
Antifungal Resistance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antimalarial Resistance ◽  
Ongoing Surveillance

The global burden of antimicrobial resistance is on the rise, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality in our communities. The spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment and development of resistant microbes is a challenge to the control of antimicrobial resistance. Approaches, such as antimicrobial stewardship programmes and enhanced surveillance, have been devised to curb its spread. However, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, the overall extent of antimicrobial resistance and knowledge on ongoing surveillance, stewardship or investigation efforts, are often poorly understood. This study aimed to look at the efforts that have been undertaken to detect and combat antimicrobial resistance in Uganda as a means of establishing an overview of the situation, to help inform future decisions. We conducted a systematic literature review of the PubMed database to assess these efforts. A search combining keywords associated with antimicrobial resistance were used to find relevant studies between 1995 and 2020 on surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Uganda, and susceptibility of microbes to different drugs. The search yielded 430 records, 163 of which met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The studies were categorized according to country and region, the type of antimicrobial resistance, context of the study, study design and outcome of the study. We observed that antibacterial resistance and antimalarial resistance had the most published studies while antiviral and antifungal resistance were represented by very few studies each. Most studies were conducted in humans and hospital settings, with few in veterinary and One Health contexts, and only one that included environmental sampling. The majority of studies have focused on surveillance, susceptibility testing or resistance genes; none of our included papers had a policy or stewardship focus. The results from our work can inform public health policy on antimicrobial stewardship as it contributes to understanding the status of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Uganda, and can also help to guide future research efforts. Notably, a One Health approach needs to be followed with respect to surveillance of antimicrobial resistance to better understand the mechanisms of resistance transfer across the human-animal–environment interface, including additional investigation in antiviral and antifungal resistance.

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