Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant pathogens. Ensuring proper use of these important drugs in all healthcare facilities is essential. Unfortunately, however, very little is known about how antibiotics are used in LMIC clinical settings, nor to what degree antibiotic stewardship programmes are in place and effective. Objective We aimed to record all Antibiotic Stewardship policies and structures in place in 16 Kenyan hospitals. We also wanted to examine the context of antibiotic-related practices in these hospitals. Methods We generated a set of questions intended to assess the knowledge and application of antibiotic stewardship policies and practices in Kenya. Using a set of 17 indicators grouped into four categories, we surveyed 16 public hospitals across the country. Additionally, we conducted 31semi-structured interviews with frontline healthcare workers and hospital managers to explore the context of, and reasons for, the results. Results Only one hospital had a resourced ABS policy in place. In all other hospitals, our survey teams commonly identified structures, resources and processes that in some way demonstrated partial or full control of antibiotic usage. This was verified by the qualitative interviews that identified common underlying issues. Most positively, we find evidence discipline-specific clinical guidelines have been well accepted and have conditioned and restricted antibiotic use. Conclusion Only one hospital had an official ABS programme, but many facilities had existing structures and resources that could be used to improve antibiotic use. Thus, ABS Strategies should be built upon existing practices with national ABS policies taking maximum advantage of existing structures to manage the supply and prescription of antimicrobials. We conclude that ABS interventions that build on established responsibilities, methods and practices would be more efficient than interventions that presume a need to establish new ABS apparatus.
Highlights
Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant pathogens
214,500 neonatal sepsis deaths worldwide are thought to be attributable to resistant pathogens, 52% of which are experienced in just five Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) countries [3]
Our findings perform three important functions: the survey offers a first attempt at benchmarking existing Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) practice in Kenyan public hospitals; the qualitative interviews provide detailed insights into the issues that affect antibiotic prescribing; and our analysis finds that many existing structures could be reinvigorated to improve ABS in Kenya
Summary
Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant pathogens. Ensuring proper use of these important drugs in all healthcare facilities is essential. Our survey teams commonly identified structures, resources and processes that in some way demonstrated partial or full control of antibiotic usage. This was verified by the qualitative interviews that identified common underlying issues. Conclusion: Only one hospital had an official ABS programme, but many facilities had existing structures and resources that could be used to improve antibiotic use. Two systematic reviews in higher-income settings suggested that interventions can have a positive effect on ABS, but again, the heterogeneity of approaches makes it difficult to draw conclusions on what works best [5,6]
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