International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VII, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6194
Danjuma Kamlen ADDA1, Obed Tiwah JOHN1*, Dr. Elkanah O. SAMBO1,3, Dr. Abiodun EGWUENU2, Dr. Ridwan YAHAYA2, Dr. Josephine GATUA2, Dr. Chinwe OCHU2, Dr. Tochi OKWOR2, Stella Inweregbu2, Mohammed UMARU1, Oscar Facknwie KAHWIR1, Rijimra ANDE1
1Centre For Initiative and Development (CFID) Taraba
2Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
3Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health problem that is increasing worldwide. About 700,000 people die each year from antimicrobial resistant infections. This coupled with the high burden of infectious disease, a high population density, and weak health systems makes Nigeria a priority country for interventions targeted at reducing the occurrence of resistant infections and ultimately lowering the disease burden. One way to achieve this is by instituting Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in our health facilities which aim at improving patient health outcome. The extent to which this has been achieved in Nigeria is unknown and this paper seeks to explore this. We conducted a cross sectional study on 14 hospitals selected from six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria. The study utilises a questionnaire designed and scripted into Open Data Kit (ODK) to assess the needs of an ASP in a hospital setting. We found that only a few hospitals have AMS structures in place 11(78.6%). In addition, patients are not engaged in AMS activities across hospitals which is a requirement for ASPs to be successful. Overall, the study has identified gaps in the AMS program which can be leveraged to improve AMS within hospital settings. Moreover, the results underscores the urgent need to establish and strengthen AMS programs in Nigeria to help reduce the disease burden and improve health outcomes of the population.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial stewardship, Hospitals, Nigeria
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent times, microorganisms, especially bacteria have increasingly become resistant to different types of antimicrobials. This resistance may be triggered by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, which is consistently supported by several studies in this field (Adda et al., 2022). Furthermore, the misuse of these antimicrobials had proven to be the driver of the development of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) (Emelda et al., 2021). This was further highlighted by the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nation, and the World Health Assembly’s endorsement of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance AMR that was held in September 2017 and May 2015 respectively. Both recognize AMR as a