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AbdEl-Aty MA, Amin MT, Ahmed SM, Elsedfy GO, El-Gazzar AF. Exploring factors for antibiotic over-prescription in children with acute upper respiratory tract infections in Assiut, Egypt: a qualitative study. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2024; 13:2. [PMID: 38185690 PMCID: PMC10773027 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01357-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over-prescription of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, which is a global health threat. Egypt has alarmingly high rates of antibiotic over-prescription for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) in children. To effectively address this issue, it is important to understand the various factors that influence prescription behaviors. The Teixeira antibiotic prescription behavioral model (TAPBM) offers a comprehensive framework through which these factors can be explored. This qualitative study sought to investigate the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in pediatric healthcare in Egypt, with the primary goal of identifying the underlying determinants that contributed to this problem. METHODS This qualitative study was conducted in Assiut City, Egypt, between January and March 2023. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, including consultant pediatricians, supervisors of pediatric training programs, and specialists in infection prevention and control. Thirteen semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA 2020 software. RESULTS Two main themes emerged from the analysis: intrinsic factors related to physicians, extrinsic factors related to patients, and nonphysician factors. Intrinsic factors encompass personal characteristics and attitudes. Prescribing decisions were influenced by factors such as fear of complications, limited follow-up visits, and competition. Knowledge and education also played a significant role. Moreover, diagnostic uncertainty in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections posed a challenge. Extrinsic factors included patient and caregiver factors, such as parental expectations and demands for antibiotics, driven by the belief that they produced rapid results. Moreover, patients' demographic factors, including socioeconomic status and living conditions, affected their prescribing behavior. Health system-related factors, such as the type of healthcare institution and the absence of formal national guidelines, were identified as influential factors. Additionally, this study highlighted the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescriptions was addressed. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the intricate interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape antibiotic prescription decisions, underscoring the significance of addressing these factors in mitigating overprescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Attia AbdEl-Aty
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Mariam Taher Amin
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt.
| | - Sabra Mohamed Ahmed
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Ghada Omar Elsedfy
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amira Fathy El-Gazzar
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Egypt
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Murdan S, Wei L, van Riet-Nales DA, Gurmu AE, Usifoh SF, Tăerel AE, Yıldız-Peköz A, Krajnović D, Azzopardi LM, Brock T, Fernandes AI, dos Santos ALS, Anto BP, Vallet T, Lee EE, Jeong KH, Akel M, Tam E, Volmer D, Douss T, Shukla S, Yamamura S, Lou X, van Riet BH, Usifoh CO, Duwiejua M, Ruiz F, Furnham A. Association between culture and the preference for, and perceptions of, 11 routes of medicine administration: A survey in 21 countries and regions. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 12:100378. [PMID: 38094713 PMCID: PMC10716026 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Medicines can be taken by various routes of administration. These can impact the effects and perceptions of medicines. The literature about individuals' preferences for and perceptions of the different routes of administration is sparse, but indicates a potential influence of culture. Our aim was to determine: (i) any association between one's culture and one's preferred route of medicine administration and (ii) individual perceptions of pain, efficacy, speed of action and acceptability when medicines are swallowed or placed in the mouth, under the tongue, in the nose, eye, ear, lungs, rectum, vagina, on the skin, or areinjected. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey of adults was conducted in 21 countries and regions of the world, namely, Tunisia, Ghana, Nigeria, Turkey, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Malta, Brazil, Great Britain, United States, India, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, France, Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China and Estonia, using the Inglehart-Welzel cultural map to ensure coverage across all cultures. Participants scored the pain/discomfort, efficacy, speed of onset and acceptability of the different routes of medicine administration and stated their preferred route. Demographic information was collected. A total of 4435 participants took part in the survey. Overall, the oral route was the most preferred route, followed by injection, while the rectal route was the least preferred. While the oral route was the most preferred in all cultures, the percentage of participants selecting this route varied, from 98% in Protestant Europe to 50% in the African-Islamic culture. A multinomial logistic regression model revealed a number of predictors for the preferred route. Injections were favoured in the Baltic, South Asia, Latin America and African-Islamic cultures while dermal administration was favoured in Catholic Europe, Baltic and Latin America cultures. A marked association was found between culture and the preference for, and perceptions of the different routes by which medicines are taken. This applied to even the least favoured routes (vaginal and rectal). Only women were asked about the vaginal route, and our data shows that the vaginal route was slightly more popular than the rectal one.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Wei
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | | | - Abyot Endale Gurmu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Stella Folajole Usifoh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Adriana-Elena Tăerel
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ayca Yıldız-Peköz
- Dept. of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Turkey
| | - Dušanka Krajnović
- Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lilian M. Azzopardi
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Tina Brock
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF School of Pharmacy, UCSF Box 0622, 521 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco 94143, USA
| | - Ana I. Fernandes
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Almada, Portugal
| | | | - Berko Panyin Anto
- Dept of Clinical & Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Thibault Vallet
- ClinSearch, 110 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92240 Malakoff, France
| | | | | | - Marwan Akel
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Lebanon
- Inspect-Lb (Institut National De Santé Publique, D'épidémiologie Clinique Et De Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Eliza Tam
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daisy Volmer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Sharvari Shukla
- Symbiosis Statistical Institute, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Shigeo Yamamura
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai International University, Togane, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Bauke H.G. van Riet
- Department of Radiotherapy, Netherlands Cancer Institute (at the time of participant recruitment in the Netherlands: MEB and VU University Medical Center), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cyril O. Usifoh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Mahama Duwiejua
- Dept of Clinical & Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Fabrice Ruiz
- ClinSearch, 110 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92240 Malakoff, France
| | - Adrian Furnham
- Dept Leadership and Orgnaisational Behaviour, Norwegian Business School, Norway
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3
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Zhang T, Lin H, Zhao X, Wang W, Yan F, Lambert H. Influences on treatment-seeking and antibiotic use for common illnesses in eastern China. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1849. [PMID: 37740203 PMCID: PMC10517519 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16700-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance rates remain high in China where antibiotics are widely used for common illnesses. This study aimed to investigate the influences on people's decisions on treatment and antibiotic use for common illnesses in eastern China. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 patients recruited through convenience sampling between July 2020 and January 2021 in one hospital in County A in Zhejiang Province, and one hospital and one village clinic in County B in Jiangsu Province, respectively. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. This study is nested in a larger interdisciplinary mixed method project and we also compared our qualitative findings with quantitative results from a household survey conducted as part of this wider project. RESULTS Participants' decisions about treatment-seeking and antibiotic use for common illnesses were found to be influenced by four interactive domains. (i) Self-evaluation of illness severity: Participants tend to self-treat minor conditions with ordinary medicines first and do not resort to antibiotics unless the condition worsens or is considered inflammation- related. Visiting healthcare facilities is seen as the final option. (ii) Access to and trust in care: These treatment-seeking practices are also associated with the perception, in contrast with retail pharmacies, hospitals provide professional and trustworthy care but are difficult to access, and hence require visiting only for severe illness. (iii) Prior experience: previous medical treatment and experiences of self-medication also influence participants' treatment decisions including the use of antibiotics. (iv) Medication characteristics: Participants view antibiotics as powerful medicines with harms and risks, requiring consumers to carefully trade off benefits and harms before use. CONCLUSIONS People's treatment decisions in relation to antibiotic use in eastern China are influenced by an interplay of lay conceptual models of illnesses and antibiotics and broader organisational, social, and contextual factors. Interventions focusing on individual education to incorporate biomedical knowledge into lay understandings, and reducing situational and social incentives for self-medicating with antibiotics by strengthening access to quality professional care, would be helpful in promoting antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hanyi Lin
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinping Zhao
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Helen Lambert
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Truppa C, Alonso B, Clezy K, Deglise C, Dromer C, Garelli S, Jimenez C, Kanapathipillai R, Khalife M, Repetto E. Antimicrobial stewardship in primary health care programs in humanitarian settings: the time to act is now. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023; 12:89. [PMID: 37667372 PMCID: PMC10476422 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01301-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile and conflict-affected settings bear a disproportionate burden of antimicrobial resistance, due to the compounding effects of weak health policies, disrupted medical supply chains, and lack of knowledge and awareness about antibiotic stewardship both among health care providers and health service users. Until now, humanitarian organizations intervening in these contexts have confronted the threat of complex multidrug resistant infections mainly in their surgical projects at the secondary and tertiary levels of care, but there has been limited focus on ensuring the implementation of adequate antimicrobial stewardship in primary health care, which is known to be setting where the highest proportion of antibiotics are prescribed. In this paper, we present the experience of two humanitarian organizations, Médecins sans Frontières and the International Committee of the Red Cross, in responding to antimicrobial resistance in their medical interventions, and we draw from their experience to formulate practical recommendations to include antimicrobial stewardship among the standards of primary health care service delivery in conflict settings. We believe that expanding the focus of humanitarian interventions in unstable and fragile contexts to include antimicrobial stewardship in primary care will strengthen the global response to antimicrobial resistance and will decrease its burden where it is posing the highest toll in terms of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Truppa
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland.
- CRIMEDIM Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy.
| | | | - Kate Clezy
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carole Dromer
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Garelli
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Ernestina Repetto
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Clinique Hospitalière Universitaire Saint Pierre, Bruxelles, Belgium
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Mambula G, Nanjebe D, Munene A, Guindo O, Salifou A, Mamaty AA, Rattigan S, Ellis S, Khavessian N, van der Pluijm RW, Marquer C, Adehossi IA, Langendorf C. Practices and challenges related to antibiotic use in paediatric treatment in hospitals and health centres in Niger and Uganda: a mixed methods study. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023; 12:67. [PMID: 37434224 PMCID: PMC10337096 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health problem and is responsible for high mortality in children and new-borns. Strengthening the rational use of antibiotics and improving the quality and access to existing antibiotics are important factors in the fight against antibiotic resistance. This study aims to provide knowledge on the use of antibiotics in children in resource-limited countries in order to identify problems and possible avenues for improvement of antibiotics use. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study in July 2020 and collected quantitative clinical and therapeutic data on antibiotic prescriptions between January and December 2019 in 4 hospitals or health centres in both Uganda and Niger, respectively from January to December 2019. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted among healthcare personnel and carers for children under 17 years of age, respectively. RESULTS A total of 1,622 children in Uganda and 660 children in Niger (mean age of 3.9 years (SD 4.43)) who received at least one antibiotic were included in the study. In hospital settings, 98.4 to 100% of children prescribed at least one antibiotic received at least one injectable antibiotic. Most hospitalized children received more than one antibiotic in both Uganda (52.1%) and Niger (71.1%). According to the WHO-AWaRe index, the proportion of prescriptions of antibiotics belonging to the Watch category was 21.8% (432/1982) in Uganda and 32.0% (371/1158) in Niger. No antibiotics from the Reserve category were prescribed. Health care provider's prescribing practices are rarely guided by microbiological analyses. Prescribers are faced with numerous constraints, such as lack of standard national guidelines, unavailability of essential antibiotics at the level of hospital pharmacies, the limited financial means of the families, and pressure to prescribe antibiotics from caregivers as well as from drug company representatives. The quality of some antibiotics provided by the National Medical Stores to the public and private hospitals has been questioned by some health professionals. Self-medication is a widespread practice for the antibiotic treatment of children for economic and access reasons. CONCLUSION The study findings indicate that an intersection of policy, institutional norms and practices including individual caregiver or health provider factors, influence antibiotic prescription, administration and dispensing practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Mambula
- Epicentre - Médecins Sans Frontières, 14-34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, 75019, France.
| | - Deborah Nanjebe
- Epicentre Uganda, Kabale Road, MUST Campus, P.0. Box 1956, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Aurelia Munene
- Epicentre Uganda, Kabale Road, MUST Campus, P.0. Box 1956, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Ousmane Guindo
- Epicentre Niger, Quartier Plateau, Boulevard Mali Béro, Issa Beri rue 31, Porte N° 93, Niamey, BP : 13330, Niger
| | - Aichatou Salifou
- Epicentre Niger, Quartier Plateau, Boulevard Mali Béro, Issa Beri rue 31, Porte N° 93, Niamey, BP : 13330, Niger
| | - Abdoul-Aziz Mamaty
- Epicentre Niger, Quartier Plateau, Boulevard Mali Béro, Issa Beri rue 31, Porte N° 93, Niamey, BP : 13330, Niger
| | - Susan Rattigan
- Epicentre - Médecins Sans Frontières, 14-34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, 75019, France
| | - Sally Ellis
- GARDP Foundation, Chemin Camille-Vidart 15, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
| | | | - Rob W van der Pluijm
- Epicentre - Médecins Sans Frontières, 14-34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, 75019, France
| | - Caroline Marquer
- Epicentre - Médecins Sans Frontières, 14-34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, 75019, France
| | | | - Céline Langendorf
- Epicentre - Médecins Sans Frontières, 14-34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris, 75019, France
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Albarqouni L, Palagama S, Chai J, Sivananthajothy P, Pathirana T, Bakhit M, Arab-Zozani M, Ranakusuma R, Cardona M, Scott A, Clark J, Smith CF, Effa E, Ochodo E, Moynihan R. Overuse of medications in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Bull World Health Organ 2023; 101:36-61D. [PMID: 36593777 PMCID: PMC9795388 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.288293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify and summarize the evidence about the extent of overuse of medications in low- and middle-income countries, its drivers, consequences and potential solutions. Methods We conducted a scoping review by searching the databases PubMed®, Embase®, APA PsycINFO® and Global Index Medicus using a combination of MeSH terms and free text words around overuse of medications and overtreatment. We included studies in any language published before 25 October 2021 that reported on the extent of overuse, its drivers, consequences and solutions. Findings We screened 3489 unique records and included 367 studies reporting on over 5.1 million prescriptions across 80 low- and middle-income countries - with studies from 58.6% (17/29) of all low-, 62.0% (31/50) of all lower-middle- and 60.0% (33/55) of all upper-middle-income countries. Of the included studies, 307 (83.7%) reported on the extent of overuse of medications, with estimates ranging from 7.3% to 98.2% (interquartile range: 30.2-64.5). Commonly overused classes included antimicrobials, psychotropic drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antihypertensive drugs. Drivers included limited knowledge of harms of overuse, polypharmacy, poor regulation and financial influences. Consequences were patient harm and cost. Only 11.4% (42/367) of studies evaluated solutions, which included regulatory reforms, educational, deprescribing and audit-feedback initiatives. Conclusion Growing evidence suggests overuse of medications is widespread within low- and middle-income countries, across multiple drug classes, with few data of solutions from randomized trials. Opportunities exist to build collaborations to rigorously develop and evaluate potential solutions to reduce overuse of medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Sujeewa Palagama
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Julia Chai
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Thanya Pathirana
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Mina Bakhit
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Morteza Arab-Zozani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Respati Ranakusuma
- Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine Unit, Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Anna Scott
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | | | - Emmanuel Effa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Eleanor Ochodo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ray Moynihan
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
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Musoke D, Namata C, Lubega GB, Kitutu FE, Mugisha L, Amir S, Brandish C, Gonza J, Ikhile D, Niyongabo F, Ng BY, O'Driscoll J, Russell-Hobbs K, Winter J, Gibson L. Access, use and disposal of antimicrobials among humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda: a qualitative study. J Pharm Policy Pract 2021; 14:69. [PMID: 34416911 PMCID: PMC8379804 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-021-00361-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inappropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition, human behaviours such as poor disposal of antimicrobials in the environment can increase their exposure to microbes which can impact on humans and animals. However, evidence on access, use and disposal of antimicrobials for humans and animals at community level in Uganda is limited. This study therefore explored access, use and disposal of antimicrobials among humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda.
Methods A qualitative study was conducted that involved focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Participants of the FGDs were community health workers (CHWs) and farmers involved in animal husbandry, while key informants included: officials from the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; human and animal health professionals; district health officials; and members of the national AMR surveillance committee. Twelve FGDs were held (8 for CHWs and 4 for farmers) while 15 KIIs were conducted. Thematic analysis in NVivo (version 12) was performed. Results Five main themes emerged from the study: access to antimicrobials in humans; access to antimicrobials in animals; use of antimicrobials in humans; use of antimicrobials in animals; and disposal of antimicrobials. Community members mainly accessed antimicrobials for humans from public health facilities such as government health centres, as well as private facilities, including drug shops and clinics. Antimicrobials for animals were obtained from veterinary practitioners and drug shops (both for humans and veterinary). Examples of inappropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals was evident, such as sharing antibiotics among household members, and giving human-prescribed antimicrobials to food-producing animals as growth promoters. While some CHWs returned unused antimicrobials to public health facilities for proper disposal, community members mainly disposed of antimicrobials with general household waste including dumping in rubbish pits. Conclusions There is a need to increase awareness among the population on proper access, use and disposal of antimicrobials for both humans and animals. Development of a drug disposal system at community level would facilitate improved waste management of antimicrobials. Together, these measures would help prevent the rate of progression of AMR in communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Carol Namata
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Biyinzika Lubega
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddy Eric Kitutu
- Sustainable Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) Unit, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lawrence Mugisha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Saba Amir
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Claire Brandish
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, UK
| | - Joviah Gonza
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Deborah Ikhile
- Institute of Health and Allied Professions, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Filimin Niyongabo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bee Yean Ng
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, UK
| | - Jean O'Driscoll
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, UK
| | | | - Jody Winter
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Linda Gibson
- Institute of Health and Allied Professions, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
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