Education and Awareness on Antimicrobial Resistance in the WHO African Region: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review documents the status of AMR education and awareness in the WHO African region, as well as specific initiatives by its member states in implementing education and awareness interventions, as a strategic objective of the Global Action Plan on AMR, i.e., improve knowledge and understanding on AMR through effective communication, education, and training. A systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and African Journals Online Library according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, for articles published in English. Retrieval and screening of articles was performed using a structured search protocol following a pre-set inclusion/exclusion criterion. Eighty-five published articles reporting 92 different studies from 19 Member States met inclusion criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Nigeria (21) and Ethiopia (16) had most of the studies, while the rest were distributed across the remaining 17 Member States. The majority of the articles were on knowledge, attitude, and practices with regard to AMR and antimicrobial use and most of them documented a general lack and suboptimal knowledge, poor attitude and practices, and widespread self-medication. This review shows low levels of knowledge of AMR coupled with extensive misuse of antimicrobial medicines by different target audiences. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced and context-specific educational and positive behavioural change interventions.

Hospital prescribing patterns of antibiotics in Zambia using the WHO prescribing indicators post-COVID-19 pandemic: findings and implications

“…Educational interventions and positive behavioural change regarding the prescribing of antibiotics are critical in addressing AMR. 53 , 144–150 In addition, our findings point to the necessity of developing and putting into practice measures that encourage the rational prescribing and use of antibiotics, which is consistent with the findings of other research. 1 , 24 , 25 , 151–153 In addition, there is a need to promote hospital-based ASPs to assist prescribers in adhering to treatment guidelines and prescribing antibiotics for the appropriate patient, at the appropriate time, in the appropriate dose, for the appropriate duration, via the appropriate route of administration, and for the appropriate indication, as was reported in other studies.…”

Evaluation of Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: Implementation, Process, Impact, and Outcomes, Review of Systematic Reviews

“…These are combined in the acronym AWaRe [ 93 ]. Although the benefits of the recommended classification have been advocated globally, the need for raising awareness about the concept has been emphasized more for developing countries, particularly when facing antimicrobial cost constraints [ 94 ].…”