scholarly journals Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance from the Perspective of Public Policy: A Multinational Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Survey to Determine Global Awareness

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
SoeYu Naing ◽  
Max van Wijk ◽  
Jordi Vila ◽  
Clara Ballesté-Delpierre

Minimizing the effect of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires an adequate policy response that relies on good governance and coordination. This study aims to have a better comprehension of how AMR is understood and perceived by policy-makers and stakeholders in a multinational context. A digital survey was designed to capture the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) towards AMR, and it was distributed to politicians, policy advisors, and stakeholders. A total of 351 individuals from 15 different countries participated, 80% from high-income countries (HICs) and 20% from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Netherlands, Spain, and Myanmar were the top 3 represented countries. Participants had sufficient knowledge regarding AMR and reported the importance of political willingness to tackle AMR. Overall, LMIC participants demonstrated better knowledge of AMR but showed poor perception and attitude towards antimicrobial use compared to HIC participants. In addition, level of education and field of expertise were significantly associated with knowledge, perception, and practices regardless of demographic characteristics. Inter-regional differences in KAP regarding AMR exist among politicians, policy advisors, and relevant stakeholders. This study captures multinational policy-maker and stakeholder mapping that can be used to propose further policy implementation on various governance levels.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Balleste-Delpierre ◽  
Soe Yu Naing ◽  
Max van Wijk ◽  
Jordi Vila

Abstract Background Minimizing the effect of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires an adequate policy response that relies on good governance and coordination. We have previously demonstrated a knowledge gap on infectious diseases within the general public, but equivalent data from a policy context are still lacking. The aim of this study is to have a better comprehension of how AMR is understood and perceived among policy makers and stakeholders in tackling AMR on a global level. Methods A digital survey was designed to capture the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards AMR. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to politicians, policy advisors and relevant stakeholders, and survey responses were collected between November 2020 and March 2021. Results A total of 351 individuals participated in this study with 80% from high-income countries (HIC) and 20% from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Fifteen different countries were represented, and the majority of participants were from the Netherlands, Spain and Myanmar. Overall, participants had sufficient knowledge regarding AMR and reported the importance of political willingness in tackling AMR. More than half (65%) of participants from LMIC reported antibiotics misuse, and almost half (48%) claimed to be unaware of this health problem. Politicians and stakeholders from LMIC demonstrated a higher knowledge on AMR but showed poor perception and attitude toward antimicrobial use compared to those from HIC regions. HIC participants emphasized the role of the veterinary sector in particular, as well as the environmental dissemination of antibiotics and drug residues. The lack of funding resources was especially reported by participants from LMIC. Conclusion Inter-regional differences in KAP regarding AMR exist among politicians, policy advisors and relevant stakeholders. Overall, participants demonstrated to have a sufficient level of knowledge and awareness of AMR. This study characterizes a multi-national policymaker and stakeholder mapping that can be used to propose further policy implementation on various governance levels.


Author(s):  
Katia Iskandar ◽  
Laurent Molinier ◽  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Massimo Sartelli ◽  
Timothy Craig Hardcastle ◽  
...  

AbstractData on comprehensive population-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is lacking. In low- and middle-income countries, the challenges are high due to weak laboratory capacity, poor health systems governance, lack of health information systems, and limited resources. Developing countries struggle with political and social dilemma, and bear a high health and economic burden of communicable diseases. Available data are fragmented and lack representativeness which limits their use to advice health policy makers and orientate the efficient allocation of funding and financial resources on programs to mitigate resistance. Low-quality data means soaring rates of antimicrobial resistance and the inability to track and map the spread of resistance, detect early outbreaks, and set national health policy to tackle resistance. Here, we review the barriers and limitations of conducting effective antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and we highlight multiple incremental approaches that may offer opportunities to strengthen population-based surveillance if tailored to the context of each country.


Author(s):  
Sanjeev Singh ◽  
Esmita Charani ◽  
Sarada Devi ◽  
Anuj Sharma ◽  
Fabia Edathadathil ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Bernard Appiah ◽  
David Anum-Hagin ◽  
Martha Gyansa-Luterrodt ◽  
Elfreda Samman ◽  
Franklin Konadu Addo Agyeman ◽  
...  

Background: Interventions delivered in schools have been found to be effective in improving knowledge of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among school-aged children, particularly those in high-income countries, but the evidence is largely lacking in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to design, implement and assess storytelling in one school and picture drawing in another school as engagement approaches for improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about antibiotics and AMR among schoolchildren in Ghana.  Methods: Two schools with a total population of 375 schoolchildren ages 11-15 years in Tema, a city in Ghana, participated in public engagement interventions involving storytelling in one school and picture drawing in another school. The interventions included eight weeks of engagement led by science teachers and a competition held in each school. For quantitative outcome-based evaluation, schoolchildren were randomly sampled in each school (31 in the storytelling school and 32 in the picture-drawing school). Purposive sampling was also used to select 20 schoolchildren in each school for qualitative outcome-based evaluation. Respondents completed identical knowledge, attitudes and beliefs questionnaires and were interviewed at two time points (before and at most a week) after key interventions to assess changes in antibiotics and AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. McNemar test was conducted to assess statistical significance between baseline and endline scores. Framework analysis was used for analysing the qualitative data. Results: Picture drawing had more significant effects (both positive and negative) on schoolchildren’s AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, whereas storytelling had a negative effect on children’s AMR knowledge and no significant impact on beliefs and attitudes.  Conclusions: Our project’s findings suggest that public engagement interventions that use picture drawing and storytelling may influence the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of schoolchildren regarding antibiotic misuse and AMR. However, modifications are required to make them much more effective.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 497
Author(s):  
Massimo Sartelli ◽  
Timothy C. Hardcastle ◽  
Fausto Catena ◽  
Alain Chichom-Mefire ◽  
Federico Coccolini ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon resulting from the natural evolution of microbes. Nonetheless, human activities accelerate the pace at which microorganisms develop and spread resistance. AMR is a complex and multidimensional problem, threatening not only human and animal health, but also regional, national, and global security, and the economy. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, and poor infection prevention and control strategies are contributing to the emergence and dissemination of AMR. All healthcare providers play an important role in preventing the occurrence and spread of AMR. The organization of healthcare systems, availability of diagnostic testing and appropriate antibiotics, infection prevention and control practices, along with prescribing practices (such as over-the-counter availability of antibiotics) differs markedly between high-income countries and low and middle-income countries (LMICs). These differences may affect the implementation of antibiotic prescribing practices in these settings. The strategy to reduce the global burden of AMR includes, among other aspects, an in-depth modification of the use of existing and future antibiotics in all aspects of medical practice. The Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery has instituted an interdisciplinary working group including healthcare professionals from different countries with different backgrounds to assess the need for implementing education and increasing awareness about correct antibiotic prescribing practices across the surgical pathways. This article discusses aspects specific to LMICs, where pre-existing factors make surgeons’ compliance with best practices even more important.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Suppl 4) ◽  
pp. e000890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumanan Rasanathan ◽  
Vincent Atkins ◽  
Charles Mwansambo ◽  
Agnès Soucat ◽  
Sara Bennett

Drawing on experiences reviewed in the accompanying supplement and other literature, we present an agenda for the way forward for policy-makers, managers, civil society and development partners to govern multisectoral action for health in low-income and middle-income countries and consider how such an agenda might be realised. We propose the following key strategies: understand the key actors and political ecosystem, including type of multisectoral action required and mapping incentives, interests and hierarchies; frame the issue in the most strategic manner; define clear roles with specific sets of interventions according to sector; use existing structures unless there is a compelling reason not to do so; pay explicit attention to the roles of non-state sectors; address conflicts of interest and manage tradeoffs; distribute leadership; develop financing and monitoring systems to encourage collaboration; strengthen implementation processes and capacity; and support mutual learning and implementation research. To support countries to strengthen governance for multisectoral action, the global community can assist by further developing technical tools and convening peer learning by policy-makers (particularly from beyond the health sector), supporting knowledge management and sharing of experiences in multisectoral action beyond health, developing an agenda for and execution of implementation research and, finally, driving multilateral and bilateral development partners to transcend their own silos and work in a more multisectoral manner.


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