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Nayiga S, MacPherson EE, Mankhomwa J, Nasuwa F, Pongolani R, Kabuleta R, Kesby M, Dacombe R, Hilton S, Grace D, Feasey N, Chandler CI. "Arming half-baked people with weapons!" Information enclaving among professionals and the need for a care-centred model for antibiotic use information in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2322839. [PMID: 38441912 PMCID: PMC10916894 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2322839] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overuse of antimicrobial medicines is a global health concern, including as a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. In many low- and middle-income countries, a substantial proportion of antibiotics are purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. But while antibiotics are widely available, information on when and how to use them is not. OBJECTIVE We aimed to understand the acceptability among experts and professionals of sharing information on antibiotic use with end users - patients, carers and farmers - in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. METHODS Building on extended periods of fieldwork amongst end-users and antibiotic providers in the three countries, we conducted two workshops in each, with a total of 44 medical and veterinary professionals, policy makers and drug regulators, in December 2021. We carried out extensive documentary and literature reviews to characterise antibiotic information systems in each setting. RESULTS Participants reported that the general public had been provided information on medicine use in all three countries by national drug authorities, health care providers and in package inserts. Participants expressed concern over the danger of sharing detailed information on antibiotic use, particularly that end-users are not equipped to determine appropriate use of medicines. Sharing of general instructions to encourage professionally-prescribed practices was preferred. CONCLUSIONS Without good access to prescribers, the tension between enclaving and sharing of knowledge presents an equity issue. Transitioning to a client care-centred model that begins with the needs of the patient, carer or farmer will require sharing unbiased antibiotic information at the point of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Nayiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eleanor E MacPherson
- Research and Innovation Services, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - John Mankhomwa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Rita Kabuleta
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mike Kesby
- School of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Russell Dacombe
- Research and Innovation Services, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shona Hilton
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Delia Grace
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, UK
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nicholas Feasey
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- The School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Clare I.R. Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Raad R, Dixon J, Gorsky M, Hoddinott G. Cycles of antibiotic use and emergent antimicrobial resistance in the South African tuberculosis programme (1950-2021): A scoping review and critical reflections on stewardship. Glob Public Health 2024; 19:2356623. [PMID: 38771831 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2356623] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The emergent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has resulted in debates around the use and preservation of effective antimicrobials. Concerns around AMR reflect a history of increasing dependence on antibiotics to address disease epidemics rooted in profound structural and systemic challenges. In the context of global health, this process, often referred to as pharmaceuticalisation, has commonly occurred within disease programmes, of which lessons are vital for adding nuance to conversations around antimicrobial stewardship. Tuberculosis (TB) is a notable example. A disease which accounts for one-third of AMR globally and remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent in many low - and middle-income countries, including South Africa. In this scoping review, we chart TB science in South Africa over 70 years of programming. We reviewed published manuscripts about the programme and critically reflected on the implications of our findings for stewardship. We identified cycles of programmatic responses to new drug availability and the emergence of drug resistance, which intersected with cycles of pharmaceuticalisation. These cycles reflect the political, economic, and social factors influencing programmatic decision-making. Our analysis offers a starting point for research exploring these cycles and drawing out implications for stewardship across the TB and AMR communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Raad
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Justin Dixon
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- The Health Research Institute Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Martin Gorsky
- Centre for History in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Graeme Hoddinott
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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MacPherson EE, Mankhomwa J, Dixon J, Pongolani R, Phiri M, Feasey N, O’Byrne T, Tolhurst R, MacPherson P. Household antibiotic use in Malawi: A cross-sectional survey from urban and peri-urban Blantyre. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001946. [PMID: 37566572 PMCID: PMC10420364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to public health. Use of antibiotics, particularly in contexts where weaker regulatory frameworks make informal access easier, has been identified as an important driver of AMR. However, knowledge is limited about the ways antibiotics are used in communities in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa. Between April and July 2021, we undertook a cross-sectional survey of community antibiotic use practices in Blantyre, Malawi. We selected two densely-populated neighbourhoods (Chilomoni and Ndirande) and one peri-urban neighbourhood (Chileka) and undertook detailed interviews to assess current and recent antibiotic use, supported by the innovative "drug bag" methodology. Regression modelling investigated associations with patterns of antibiotic recognition. We interviewed 217 households with a total of 1051 household members. The number of antibiotics recognised was significantly lower among people with poorer formal health care access (people with unknown HIV status vs. HIV-negative, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.77-.099) and amongst men (aOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.99), who are less likely to support healthcare-seeking for family members. Reported antibiotic use was mostly limited to a small number of antibiotics (amoxicillin, erythromycin and cotrimoxazole), with current antibiotic use reported by 67/1051 (6.4%) and recent use (last 6 months) by 440/1051 (41.9%). Our findings support the need for improved access to quality healthcare in urban and peri-urban African settings to promote appropriate antibiotic use and limit the development and spread of AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor E. MacPherson
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Justin Dixon
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nicholas Feasey
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Thomasena O’Byrne
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Tolhurst
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Peter MacPherson
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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4
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Singleton D, Ibarz-Pavon A, Swarthout TD, Bonomali F, Cornick J, Kalizang'oma A, Ntiza N, Brown C, Chipatala R, Nyangulu W, Chirombo J, Kawalazira G, Chibowa H, Mwansambo C, Maleta KM, French N, Heyderman RS. Cross-sectional health centre and community-based evaluation of the impact of pneumococcal and malaria vaccination on antibiotic prescription and usage, febrile illness and antimicrobial resistance in young children in Malawi: the IVAR study protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069560. [PMID: 37173105 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vaccination is a potentially critical component of efforts to arrest development and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), though little is known about vaccination impact within low-income and middle-income countries. This study will evaluate the impact of vaccination on reducing carriage prevalence of resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. We will leverage two large ongoing cluster-randomised vaccine evaluations in Malawi assessing; first, adding a booster dose to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) schedule, and second, introduction of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Six cross-sectional surveys will be implemented within primary healthcare centres (n=3000 users of outpatient facilities per survey) and their local communities (n=700 healthy children per survey): three surveys in Blantyre district (PCV13 component) and three surveys in Mangochi district (RTS,S/AS01 component). We will evaluate antibiotic prescription practices and AMR carriage in children ≤3 years. For the PCV13 component, surveys will be conducted 9, 18 and 33 months following a 3+0 to 2+1 schedule change. For the RTS,S/AS01 component, surveys will be conducted 32, 44 and 56 months post-RTS,S/AS01 introduction. Six health centres in each study component will be randomly selected for study inclusion. Between intervention arms, the primary outcome will be the difference in penicillin non-susceptibility prevalence among S. pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage isolates in healthy children. The study is powered to detect an absolute change of 13 percentage points (ie, 35% vs 22% penicillin non-susceptibility). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Ref: P01-21-3249), University College London (Ref: 18331/002) and University of Liverpool (Ref: 9908) Research Ethics Committees. Parental/caregiver verbal or written informed consent will be obtained prior to inclusion or recruitment in the health centre-based and community-based activities, respectively. Results will be disseminated via the Malawi Ministry of Health, WHO, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Singleton
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ana Ibarz-Pavon
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Todd D Swarthout
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Research Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, London, UK
| | - Farouck Bonomali
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jennifer Cornick
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Akuzike Kalizang'oma
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Research Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, London, UK
| | - Noah Ntiza
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Comfort Brown
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Raphael Chipatala
- Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Wongani Nyangulu
- Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - James Chirombo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | - Neil French
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert S Heyderman
- Research Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, London, UK
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Nayiga S, Denyer Willis L, Staedke SG, Chandler CIR. Reconciling imperatives: Clinical guidelines, antibiotic prescribing and the enactment of good care in lower-level health facilities in Tororo, Uganda. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3322-3333. [PMID: 35220900 PMCID: PMC10083044 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2045619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Faced with the threat of antimicrobial resistance, health workers are urged to reduce unnecessary prescription of antimicrobials. Clinical guidelines are expected to form the basis of prescribing decisions in practice. Emerging through evaluations of best practice - bundling clinical, technological and economic dimensions - guidelines also create benchmarks through which practice can be assessed with metrics. To understand the relationships between guidelines and practice in the prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics, ethnographic fieldwork was undertaken in lower-level health care facilities in rural Eastern Uganda for 10 months between January and October 2020, involving direct observations during and outside of clinics and interviews with staff. In a context of scarcity, where 'care' is characterised by delivery of medicines, and is constituted beyond algorithmic outputs, we observed that clinical practice was shaped by availability of resources, and professional and patient expectations, as much as by the clinical guidelines. For stewardship to care for patients as well as for medicines, a better understanding of clinical practice and expectations of care is required in relation to and beyond clinical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Nayiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah G Staedke
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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6
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Broom A, Peterie M, Kenny K, Broom J, Kelly-Hanku A, Lafferty L, Treloar C, Applegate T. Vulnerability and antimicrobial resistance. CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09581596.2022.2123733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Broom
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle Peterie
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katherine Kenny
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennifer Broom
- Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Birtinya, Australia
- Greater Brisbane Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute for Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Lise Lafferty
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tanya Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Hutchison C. Wars and sweets: microbes, medicines and other moderns in and beyond the(ir) antibiotic era. MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2022; 48:medhum-2021-012366. [PMID: 35948395 PMCID: PMC9411908 DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2021-012366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Once upon a time, many of us moderns dreamt that our future was bright, squeaky clean, germ-free. Now, we increasingly fear that bacterial resistance movements and hordes of viruses are cancelling our medicated performances, and threatening life as many of us have come to know it. In order for our modern antibiotic theatre of war to go on, we pray for salvation through our intensive surveillance of microbes, crusades for more rational antibiotic wars, increased recruitment of resistance fighters and development of antibiotic armaments through greater investment in our medical-industrial-war complex. But not all of us are in favour of the promise of perpetual antimicrobial wars, no matter how careful or rational their proponents aspire to be. An increasing vocal and diverse opposition has amassed in academic journals, newspapers and other fields of practice denouncing medicalisation and pharamceuticalisation of our daily lives, as well as our modern medicine as overly militaristic. In this paper, rather than simply rehearsing many of these well-made and meaning debates to convert you to yet another cause, I enrol them in redescriptions of our modern medical performances in the hope of awakening you from your aseptic dream. What follows is my invitation for you to re-enact our mythic antibiotic era in all its martial g(l)ory. I promise that it will bring you no physically harm, yet I can't promise it will leave your beliefs unscathed, as you follow its playful redescription of how our objective scientific descriptions, clinical prescriptions, economic strategies, political mandates and military orders, not to mention our warspeak, have always been deeply entangled with triumphs and devastations of The(ir) Great anti-Microbial Wars (aka our antibiotic era).
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Affiliation(s)
- Coll Hutchison
- Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
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8
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Godman B, Egwuenu A, Wesangula E, Schellack N, Kalungia AC, Tiroyakgosi C, Kgatlwane J, Mwita JC, Patrick O, Niba LL, Amu AA, Oguntade RT, Alabi ME, Ncube NBQ, Sefah IA, Acolatse J, Incoom R, Guantai AN, Oluka M, Opanga S, Chikowe I, Khuluza F, Chiumia FK, Jana CE, Kalemeera F, Hango E, Fadare J, Ogunleye OO, Ebruke BE, Meyer JC, Massele A, Malande OO, Kibuule D, Kapona O, Zaranyika T, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Kujinga T, Saleem Z, Kurdi A, Shahwan M, Jairoun AA, Wale J, Brink AJ. Tackling antimicrobial resistance across sub-Saharan Africa: current challenges and implications for the future. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:1089-1111. [PMID: 35876080 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2106368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a concern as this increases morbidity, mortality, and costs, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest rates globally. Concerns with rising AMR have resulted in international, Pan-African, and country activities including the development of national action plans (NAPs). However, there is variable implementation across Africa with key challenges persisting. AREAS COVERED Consequently, there is an urgent need to document current NAP activities and challenges across sub-Saharan Africa to provide future guidance. This builds on a narrative review of the literature. EXPERT OPINION All surveyed sub-Saharan African countries have developed their NAPs; however, there is variable implementation. Countries including Botswana and Namibia are yet to officially launch their NAPs with Eswatini only recently launching its NAP. Cameroon is further ahead with its NAP than these countries; though there are concerns with implementation. South Africa appears to have made the greatest strides with implementing its NAP including regular monitoring of activities and instigation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Key challenges remain across Africa. These include available personnel, expertise, capacity, and resources to undertake agreed NAP activities including active surveillance, lack of focal points to drive NAPs, and competing demands and priorities including among donors. These challenges are being addressed, with further co-ordinated efforts needed to reduce AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Abiodun Egwuenu
- AMR Programme, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Evelyn Wesangula
- Patient and Health Workers Safety Division, AMR Focal Point, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Natalie Schellack
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Joyce Kgatlwane
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Julius C Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Okwen Patrick
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa
- Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Adefolarin A Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Mobolaji Eniola Alabi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
| | - Nondumiso B Q Ncube
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Volta Region, Ghana
| | - Joseph Acolatse
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Robert Incoom
- Pharmacy Directorate, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Anastasia Nkatha Guantai
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ibrahim Chikowe
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis K Chiumia
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Collins Edward Jana
- Division of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Ester Hango
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bernard E Ebruke
- International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Oliver Ombeva Malande
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
- East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunization (ECAVI), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Busitema University, Mbale, Tororo, Uganda
| | | | - Trust Zaranyika
- Department Of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
- Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Janney Wale
- Independent consumer advocate, Brunswick, Australia
| | - Adrian J Brink
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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MacPherson EE, Reynolds J, Sanudi E, Nkaombe A, Mankhomwa J, Dixon J, Chandler CIR. Understanding antimicrobial use in subsistence farmers in Chikwawa District Malawi, implications for public awareness campaigns. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000314. [PMID: 36962375 PMCID: PMC10021458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistant infections are increasing across the world and urgent action is required to preserve current classes of antibiotics. Antibiotic use practices in low-and-middle-income countries have gained international attention, especially as antibiotics are often accessed beyond the formal health system. Public awareness campaigns have gained popularity, often conceptualising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a problem of excess, precipitated by irrational behaviour. Insufficient attention has been paid to people's lived experiences of accessing medicines in low-income contexts. In Chikwawa District, Malawi, a place of extreme scarcity, our study aimed to understand the care and medicine use practices of households dependent on subsistence farming. Adopting an anthropological approach, we undertook medicine interviews (100), ethnographic fieldwork (six-month period) and key informant interviews (33) with a range of participants in two villages in rural Chikwawa. The most frequently used drugs were cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin, not considered to be of critical importance to human health. Participants recognised that keeping, sharing, and buying medicines informally was not the "right thing." However, they described using antibiotics and other medicines in these ways due to conditions of extreme precarity, the costs and limitations of seeking formal care in the public sector, and the inevitability of future illness. Our findings emphasise the need in contexts of extreme scarcity to equip policy actors with interventions to address AMR through strengthening health systems, rather than public awareness campaigns that foreground overuse and the dangers of using antibiotics beyond the formal sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor E. MacPherson
- Blantyre Malawi and Department of Clinical Sciences, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Reynolds
- Sheffield Hallam University and Capacity Q, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Justin Dixon
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare I. R. Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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