Curbing the menace of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries

Abstract

Several reports suggest that antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global problem; but like most pandemics, the greatest toll is in the less developed countries. The dismally low rate of discovery of antimicrobials compared to the rate of development of antimicrobial resistance places humanity on a very dangerous precipice. Since antimicrobial resistance is part of an organism's natural survival instinct, total eradication might be unachievable; however, it can be reduced to a level that it no longer poses a threat to humanity. While inappropriate antimicrobial consumption contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, other complex political, social, economic and biomedical factors are equally important. Tackling the menace therefore should go beyond the conventional sensitization of members of the public and occasional press releases to include a multi-sectoral intervention involving the formation of various alliances and partnerships. Involving civil society organisations like the media could greatly enhance the success of the interventions

An assessment of dispensing practices in private pharmacies in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

“…Despite years of advocacy and interventions to improve the rational use of antibiotics in developing countries, [2,4,6] inappropriate use of antibiotics remains a challenge. One‐off workshops, which are often conducted by different organizations as a solution to skills shortage, appear ineffective in adressing this problem [15] . Interventions that are interactive, continuous and which reinforce and harness community involvement are necessary to improve the rational use of antibiotics.…”

Resistance Pattern of Ciprofloxacin Against Different Pathogens

“…7 As antibiotic resistance reduces treatment efficacy, it is a time to consider routine susceptibility testing to guide individual patient treatment and surveillance of antibiotic resistance. [8][9][10] Ciprofloxacin is one of the fluorinated quinolones structurally related to nalidixic acid. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic, more sensitive to gram-negative bacteria, and less effective against grampositive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis.…”

Predictors of antibiotic use in African communities: evidence from medicines household surveys in five countries

“…2004). Low‐income countries not only face a higher share of infectious diseases, but also have to address paucity of qualified healthcare workers, unregulated antibiotic use, widespread self‐medication, lack of unbiased information about medicines, insufficient medicines of assured quality and lack of access to newer agents (Radyowijati & Haak 2003; Nweneka et al. 2009).…”

“…Behaviours leading to inappropriate antibiotic use result from complex interactions between individuals, communities and healthcare systems, all influenced by epidemiologic trends as well as cultural, political and socioeconomic factors (Nordberg et al 2004). Low-income countries not only face a higher share of infectious diseases, but also have to address paucity of qualified healthcare workers, unregulated antibiotic use, widespread self-medication, lack of unbiased information about medicines, insufficient medicines of assured quality and lack of access to newer agents (Radyowijati & Haak 2003;Nweneka et al 2009). Policy makers have historically relied on healthcare facility surveys to evaluate national policies and programmes related to medicines.…”