PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(6), P. e0304576 - e0304576
Published: June 3, 2024
Objective
The
prevalence
of
syphilis
in
Zambia
remains
high
and
is
a
critical
public
health
concern.
Zambian
Ministry
Health
recommends
universal
screening
same-day
treatment
for
pregnancy,
yet
the
rate
low,
poorly
documented.
goal
this
study
was
to
document
rates
associated
factors
among
pregnant
women
care
Zambia.
Methods
This
retrospective
cohort
included
diagnosed
with
according
rapid
plasma
reagin
(RPR)
during
routine
antenatal
(ANC)
Lusaka,
2018–2019.
main
outcome
interest
lack
documented
BPG
pregnancy.
Additional
information
about
pregnancy
neonatal
outcomes,
partner
referral
therapy,
facility
level
stockout
data
were
included.
Patient
characteristics
compared
by
status
using
Pearson
Chi-Square
Test
logistic
regression
models
created
estimate
association
between
individual
level-factors,
type,
treatment.
A
Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
test
used
evaluate
facility-level
significance
set
at
p<0.05.
Results
Among
1,231
who
screened
positive
clinic,
643
(52%)
lacked
antibiotic
facility.
only
treat
8%
sex
partners
had
evidence
therapy.
Preterm
delivery
higher
without
(43%
vs
32%;
p
=
0.003).
In
adjusted
models,
calendar
year
hospital
type
At
level,
annual
ranged
from
37–65%
most
(7/10)
clinics
reported
least
one
BPG.
Conclusion
Treatment
low
medication
stockouts
common.
consistent
supply
all
ANC
facilities
needed
facilitate
timely
improve
birth
outcomes.
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
6(3)
Published: May 6, 2024
Antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR)
poses
a
threat
to
public
health
globally.
Despite
its
consequences,
there
is
little
information
about
the
knowledge,
awareness,
and
practices
towards
AMR
among
healthcare
workers
(HCWs).
Therefore,
this
study
assessed
awareness
regarding
antimicrobial
use
(AMU),
stewardship
(AMS)
HCWs
who
are
involved
in
implementation
of
AMS
activities
across
eight
hospitals
Zambia.
Journal of Hospital Infection,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
148, P. 129 - 137
Published: April 15, 2024
BackgroundA
well-established
antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR)
laboratory-based
surveillance
(LBS)
is
of
utmost
importance
in
a
country
like
Zambia
which
bears
significant
proportion
the
world's
communicable
disease
burden.
This
study
assessed
capacity
laboratories
selected
hospitals
to
conduct
AMR
Zambia.MethodsThis
cross-sectional
exploratory
was
conducted
among
eight
(8)
purposively
between
August
2023
and
December
2023.
Data
were
collected
using
self-scoring
Laboratory
Assessment
Antibiotic
Resistance
Testing
Capacity
(LAARC)
tool.FindingsOf
facilities,
none
had
full
with
varying
capacities
ranging
from
moderate
[63%
(5/8)]
low
[38%
(3/8)].
Some
barriers
AMR-LBS
lack
electronic
laboratory
information
system
(LIS)
locally
generated
antibiograms
[75%
(6/8)].
Quality
control
for
susceptibility
testing
(AST),
pathogen
identification
media
preparation
lowest
overall
score
all
facilities
14%,
20%
44%
respectively.
The
highest
scores
specimen
processing
(79%),
data
management
(78%),
collection,
transport,
(71%)
safety
(70%).
Most
standard
operating
procedures
(SOPs)
place
but
lacked
specimen-specific
SOPs.ConclusionThe
absence
hinders
efforts
combat
further
complicates
treatment
outcomes
infectious
diseases.
Establishing
strengthening
LBS
systems
are
essential
quantifying
burden
supporting
development
local
guidelines.
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(04), P. 81 - 112
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Background:
Antifungal
resistance
(AFR)
is
a
global
public
health
problem
with
devastating
effects,
especially
among
immunocompromised
individuals.
Addressing
AFR
requires
One
Health
approach
including
Stewardship
(AFS).
This
study
aimed
to
comprehensively
review
studies
published
on
fungal
infections
and
recommend
solutions
address
this
growing
problem.
Materials
Methods:
was
narrative
that
conducted
using
papers
infections,
AFR,
AFS
between
January
1961
March
2024.
The
literature
searched
PubMed,
Google
Scholar,
Web
of
Science,
EMBASE.
Results:
found
there
has
been
an
increase
in
globally,
patients.
Due
proportionate
the
use
antifungal
agents
prevent
treat
infections.
increased
worsened
contributing
morbidity
mortality.
Globally,
have
contributed
150
million
annually
1.7
deaths
per
year.
By
year
2023,
over
3.8
people
died
from
remains
challenge
because
treatment
antifungal-resistant
difficult.
Finally,
exacerbated
by
limited
number
invasive
Conclusion:
results
indicated
are
prevalent
across
humans,
animals,
agriculture,
environment.
provision
such
as
improving
awareness
conducting
further
research
discovery
new
agents,
implementing
programs.
If
not
addressed,
mortality
associated
will
continue
rise
future.
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
7(2)
Published: March 4, 2025
There
are
concerns
globally
with
rising
rates
of
antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR),
particularly
in
low-
and
middle-income
countries
(LMICs).
AMR
is
driven
by
high
inappropriate
prescribing
dispensing
antibiotics,
Watch
antibiotics.
To
develop
future
interventions,
it
important
to
document
current
knowledge,
attitudes
practices
(KAP)
among
key
stakeholder
groups
LMICs.
We
undertook
a
narrative
review
published
papers
four
WHO
Regions
including
African
Asian
countries.
Relevant
were
sourced
from
2018
2024
synthesized
group,
country,
Region,
income
level
year.
The
findings
summarized
identify
pertinent
activities
for
all
groups.
459
papers,
large
number
coming
Africa
(42.7%).
An
appreciable
dealt
patients'
KAP
(33.1%),
reflecting
their
influence
on
the
was
marked
consistency
across
Regions,
showing
antibiotics
viral
infections
despite
professed
knowledge
AMR.
similar
issues
dispensers.
Patients'
beliefs
regarding
effectiveness
self-limiting
infectious
diseases
major
challenge,
although
educational
programmes
did
improve
knowledge.
development
AWaRe
(Access,
Reserve)
system,
practical
guidance,
provides
opportunity
standardization
inputs.
Similar
LMICs
presents
clear
opportunities
input
training
based
system.
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(01), P. 1 - 19
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Background:
The
irrational
use
of
medicines
remains
a
key
health
problem
in
many
developing
countries.
overuse
antibiotics
is
driver
antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR).
This
study
surveyed
antibiotic
and
adherence
to
the
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)
prescribing
indicators
at
Request
Muntanga
Hospital
Kalomo
District
Southern
Province,
Zambia.
Materials
Methods:
cross-sectional
was
conducted
from
July
2023
September
Zambia
reviewed
600
medical
record
prescriptions
which
were
issued
1,
2022
June
30,
using
WHO
indicators.
collected
data
analyzed
Statistical
Package
for
Social
Sciences
version
23.0.
Results:
From
sampled,
1246
prescribed,
with
making
up
86.7%
encounters.
Additionally,
average
number
drugs
prescribed
per
encounter
2.1
prevalence
polypharmacy
61.3%.
Further,
17.8%
as
injectables.
Furthermore,
76.7%
Essential
Medicines
List
38.9%
by
generic
names.
Conclusions:
found
high
deviations
WHO/International
Network
Rational
Use
Drugs
(INRUD)
core
indicating
non-adherence
There
need
promote
WHO/INRUD
rational
prevent
emergence
spread
AMR.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 21, 2025
Zambia
experienced
the
largest
cholera
epidemic
in
country’s
history
2023–2024;
however,
antimicrobial
susceptibility
profile
of
Vibrio
cholerae
during
is
unknown.
A
total
2,384
stool
samples
were
collected
from
suspected
cases
Eastern,
Lusaka,
and
Luapula
provinces
January
2023
to
March
2024.
Among
them,
549
(23.5%,
n
=
2,341)
culture
positive
for
V.
O1,
results
available
431
(78.5%,
549).
Sensitivity
tetracycline
was
84.5%
(
316
374)
whereas
it
100%
Eastern
provinces.
Isolates
resistant
azithromycin
found
only
Lusaka
(1.6%,
1
61).
ciprofloxacin
81.8%
260
318)
province,
other
Our
suggested
an
increased
prevalence
resistance
against
first-
second-line
antibiotic
treatments,
particularly
capital.
Careful
monitoring
regional
antibiogram
warranted.
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
6(4)
Published: July 3, 2024
Antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR)
is
a
global
public
health
problem
affecting
healthcare
systems.
Short-term
antibiotic
non-adherence
thought
to
be
one
of
the
factors
contributing
resistance.
This
study
aimed
evaluate
knowledge
and
practices
towards
short-term
use
on
self-reported
adherence
among
patients
visiting
level-1
hospitals
in
Lusaka,
Zambia.
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
6(5)
Published: Aug. 18, 2024
Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial
resistance
(AMR)
of
pathogens
such
as
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
is
among
the
top
10
threats
to
global
health.
However,
clinical
and
molecular
data
are
scarce
in
Zambia.
We,
therefore,
evaluated
AMR
profiles
P.
nosocomial
infections
(NIs).
Methods
A
year-long
hospital-based
cross-sectional
study
was
conducted
at
two
large
tertiary-level
hospitals
Patients
with
current
or
previous
hospital
contact
were
screened
for
NIs.
The
focused
on
patients
diagnosed
Clinical
specimens
collected
bacteriological
culture,
PCR
amplification
16S
rRNA
gene
fragments
performed
pure
isolates.
Hospital
NIs
defined
that
arise
during
hospitalization,
occurring
least
48
h
after
admission.
Kirby–Bauer’s
disk
diffusion
method
used
evaluate
antibiotic
patterns.
association
between
risk
factors
analysed
using
χ2
test.
Results
Eight
hundred
forty-one
screened,
analysed.
Of
them,
116
(13.7%)
participants’
ages
ranged
from
15
98
years,
a
mean
51
(SD
±
18).
Catheter-associated
urinary
tract
(57%)
most
common,
followed
by
pressure
sores
(38.7%).
isolates
primarily
susceptible
amikacin,
which
had
highest
FEP.
We
observed
high
prevalence
multidrug
(73.6%).
associated
carbapenem-hydrolysing
β-lactamase
blaOXA-51
surgical
care.
Conclusions
This
has
demonstrated
multidrug-resistant
prevalent
Zambia’s
Lusaka
Ndola
districts
possibly
countrywide.
Antimicrobial
stewardship
programs
are
very
essential
in
addressing
the
problem
of
drug-resistant
infections.
The
WHO
Access,
Watch,
and
Reserve
(AWaRe)
classification
antibiotics
is
monitoring
rational
use
antibiotics.
Therefore,
this
study
evaluated
awareness
AWaRe
among
pharmacy
professionals
Zambia.