Dataset Information

Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance, Utilization, and Stewardship in Yemen: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), largely driven by irrational use of antimicrobials, is a global, multifaceted problem calling for a complete understanding of all contributory factors for effective containment. In conflict settings, war-wounds and malnutrition can combine with existing social determinants to increase demand for antibiotics, compounding irrational use. In this study, we focus on Yemen, a low-income country with active conflict for the last 5 years, and analyze the current status of awareness and stewardship efforts regarding AMR. We performed a survey of prescribers/physicians and pharmacists to describe perceptions of AMR prevalence, antibiotic use practices, and stewardship in Yemen, supported by a nonsystematic scoping literature review and a key informant interview. Participants (96%, N = 54) reported a perceived high AMR prevalence rate. Prescribers (74%, 20/27) reported pressure to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the majority of cases (81%, 22/27), antimicrobial sensitivity tests (AST) were not performed to inform antibiotic choice. The main barrier to AST was cost. Most pharmacists (67%, 18/27) sold antibiotics without prescriptions. Amoxicillin (including amoxicillin-clavulanate) was the most-commonly prescribed (63%, 17/27) or dispensed (81%, 22/27) antibiotic. AST was rated the least important solution to AMR in Yemen. While there was awareness of a high AMR rate, stewardship is poor in Yemen. We note that barriers to the use of AST could be addressed through the deployment of reliable, affordable, quality rapid diagnostics, and AST kits. Compulsory continuing education emphasizing the use of AST to guide prescribing and patients' awareness programs could help avoid irrational use.

SUBMITTER: Orubu ESF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8592190 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance, Utilization, and Stewardship in Yemen: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study.

Orubu Ebiowei S F ESF Al-Dheeb Najwa N Ching Carly C Bu Jawdeh Sima S Anderson Jessica J Sheikh Rashad R Hariri Fadhel F Basaleem Huda H Zaman Muhammad H MH

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 20210823 5

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), largely driven by irrational use of antimicrobials, is a global, multifaceted problem calling for a complete understanding of all contributory factors for effective containment. In conflict settings, war-wounds and malnutrition can combine with existing social determinants to increase demand for antibiotics, compounding irrational use. In this study, we focus on Yemen, a low-income country with active conflict for the last 5 years, and analyze the current status o ...[more]

PMID: 34424858

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Project description:BackgroundExisting evidence underscores inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and use in the community setting. Increased and inappropriate antimicrobial use are major factors contributing to the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are critical for mitigating AMR, enhancing patient outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. Despite the existing Australian National Action Plan on AMR, optimisation of antimicrobial use in the community setting remains inadequately investigated. This study explored health professionals' perspectives on community AMS practices and systems, identifying challenges and areas for improvement.MethodsThis qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives of 17 different health professionals from diverse community practice settings in South-East Queensland, Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, anonymised, and transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analysed, with NVivo 12 utilised for organisation and analysis. Data were then mapped and examined using the Elements of Medicines Stewardship (EMS), which aligns with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship. This was reported following the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist.ResultsFour main themes described the health professionals' insights on community AMS practices and systems. Thematic analysis from these findings reveals a state of ambiguity and fragmentation in the community AMS practices and systems. In comparison to the hospital-based AMS system, the Australian community AMS system appears to be in its nascent stages of development. Applying the EMS is essential for developing and implementing community AMS strategies to enhance practices and systems.ConclusionThe study identified key health system factors that impact the implementation of community AMS programmes and highlighted the need for developing community-specific governance and frameworks that integrate multidisciplinary strategies to support effective implementation and enhance patient outcomes. This research will inform community AMS intervention strategies, influencing policy and practice to advance sustainable healthcare and address antimicrobial resistance.

Project description:BackgroundAntibiotic resistant infections cause over 700,000 deaths worldwide annually. As antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) helps minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistance resulting from inappropriate use of antibiotics in healthcare, we developed ePAMS+ (ePrescribing-based Anti-Microbial Stewardship), an ePrescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system decision-support tool complemented by educational, behavioural and organisational elements.MethodsWe conducted a non-randomised before-and-after feasibility trial, implementing ePAMS+ in two English hospitals using the Cerner Millennium EPMA system. Wards of several specialties were included. Patient participants were blinded to whether ePAMS+ was in use; prescribers were not. A mixed-methods evaluation aimed to establish: acceptability and usability of ePAMS+ and trial processes; feasibility of ePAMS+ implementation and quantitative outcome recording; and a Fidelity Index measuring the extent to which ePAMS+ was delivered as intended. Longitudinal semi-structured interviews of doctors, nurses and pharmacists, alongside non-participant observations, gathered qualitative data; we extracted quantitative prescribing data from the EPMA system. Normal linear modelling of the defined daily dose (DDD) of antibiotic per admission quantified its variability, to inform sample size calculations for a future trial of ePAMS+ effectiveness.ResultsThe research took place during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, from April 2021 to November 2022. 60 qualitative interviews were conducted (33 before ePAMS+ implementation, 27 after). 1,958 admissions (1,358 before ePAMS+ implementation; 600 after) included 24,884 antibiotic orders. Qualitative interviews confirmed that some aspects of ePAMS+ , its implementation and training were acceptable, while other features (e.g. enabling combinations of antibiotics to be prescribed) required further development. ePAMS+ uptake was low (28 antibiotic review records from 600 admissions; 0.047 records per admission), preventing full development of a Fidelity Index. Normal linear modelling of antibiotic DDD per admission showed a residual variance of 1.086 (log-transformed scale). Unavailability of indication data prevented measurement of some outcomes (e.g. number of antibiotic courses per indication).ConclusionsThis feasibility trial encountered unforeseen circumstances due to contextual factors and a global pandemic, highlighting the need for careful adaptation of complex intervention implementations to the local setting. We identified key refinements to ePAMS+ to support its wider adoption in clinical practice, requiring further piloting before a confirmatory effectiveness trial.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN13429325, 24 March 2022.

Project description:Behaviour change is key to combating antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes promote and monitor judicious antibiotic use, but there is little consideration of behavioural and social influences when designing interventions. We outline a programme of research which aims to co-design AMS interventions across healthcare settings, by integrating data-science, evidence- synthesis, behavioural-science and user-centred design. The project includes three work-packages (WP): WP1 (Identifying patterns of prescribing): analysis of electronic health-records to identify prescribing patterns in care-homes, primary-care, and secondary-care. An online survey will investigate consulting/antibiotic-seeking behaviours in members of the public. WP2 (Barriers and enablers to prescribing in practice): Semi-structured interviews and observations of practice to identify barriers/enablers to prescribing, influences on antibiotic-seeking behaviour and the social/contextual factors underpinning prescribing. Systematic reviews of AMS interventions to identify the components of existing interventions associated with effectiveness. Design workshops to identify constraints influencing the form of the intervention. Interviews conducted with healthcare-professionals in community pharmacies, care-homes, primary-, and secondary-care and with members of the public. Topic guides and analysis based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. Observations conducted in care-homes, primary and secondary-care with analysis drawing on grounded theory. Systematic reviews of interventions in each setting will be conducted, and interventions described using the Behaviour Change Technique taxonomy v1. Design workshops in care-homes, primary-, and secondary care. WP3 (Co-production of interventions and dissemination). Findings will be integrated to identify opportunities for interventions, and assess whether existing interventions target influences on antibiotic use. Stakeholder panels will be assembled to co-design and refine interventions in each setting, applying the Affordability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Acceptability, Side-effects and Equity (APEASE) criteria to prioritise candidate interventions. Outputs will inform development of new AMS interventions and/or optimisation of existing interventions. We will also develop web-resources for stakeholders providing analyses of antibiotic prescribing patterns, prescribing behaviours, and evidence reviews.

Dataset Information

Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance, Utilization, and Stewardship in Yemen: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study.

Publications

Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance, Utilization, and Stewardship in Yemen: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study.

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