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- Abbara, Aula, et al.
(författare)
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A summary and appraisal of existing evidence of antimicrobial resistance in the Syrian conflict
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 75, s. 26-33
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in populations experiencing war has yet to be addressed, despite the abundance of contemporary conflicts and the protracted nature of twenty-first century wars, in combination with growing global concern over conflict-associated bacterial pathogens. The example of the Syrian conflict is used to explore the feasibility of using existing global policies on AMR in conditions of extreme conflict. The available literature on AMR and prescribing behaviour in Syria before and since the onset of the conflict in March 2011 was identified. Overall, there is a paucity of rigorous data before and since the onset of conflict in Syria to contextualize the burden of AMR. However, post onset of the conflict, an increasing number of studies conducted in neighbouring countries and Europe have reported AMR in Syrian refugees. High rates of multidrug resistance, particularly Gram-negative organisms, have been noted amongst Syrian refugees when compared with local populations. Conflict impedes many of the safeguards against AMR, creates new drivers, and exacerbates existing ones. Given the apparently high rates of AMR in Syria, in neighbouring countries hosting refugees, and in European countries providing asylum, this requires the World Health Organization and other global health institutions to address the causes, costs, and future considerations of conflict-related AMR as an issue of global governance. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.
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| 2. |
- Abbara, Aula, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobial resistance in the context of the Syrian conflict : Drivers before and after the onset of conflict and key recommendations
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 73, s. 1-6
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Current evidence describing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of the Syrian conflict is of poor quality and sparse in nature. This paper explores and reports the major drivers of AMR that were present in Syria pre-conflict and those that have emerged since its onset in March 2011. Drivers that existed before the conflict included a lack of enforcement of existing legislation to regulate over-the-counter antibiotics and notification of communicable diseases. This contributed to a number of drivers of AMR after the onset of conflict, and these were also compounded by the exodus of trained staff, the increase in overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, the increase in injuries, and economic sanctions limiting the availability of required laboratory medical materials and equipment. Addressing AMR in this context requires pragmatic, multifaceted action at the local, regional, and international levels to detect and manage potentially high rates of multidrug-resistant infections. Priorities are (1) the development of a competent surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections, (2) antimicrobial stewardship, and (3) the creation of cost-effective and implementable infection control policies. However, it is only by addressing the conflict and immediate cessation of the targeting of health facilities that the rehabilitation of the health system, which is key to addressing AMR in this context, can progress.
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| 3. |
- Abbara, Aula, et al.
(författare)
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The challenges of tuberculosis control in protracted conflict: The case of Syria
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 90, s. 53-59
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Syria's protracted conflict has resulted in ideal conditions for the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and the cultivation of drug-resistant strains. This paper compares TB control in Syria before and after the conflict using available data, examines the barriers posed by protracted conflict and those specific to Syria, and discusses what measures can be taken to address the control of TB in Syria.Results: Forced mass displacement and systematic violations of humanitarian law have resulted in overcrowding and the destruction of key infrastructure, leading to an increased risk of both drug-sensitive and resistant TB, while restricting the ability to diagnose, trace contacts, treat, and follow-up. Pre-conflict, TB in Syria was officially reported at 22 per 100 000 population; the official figure for 2017 of 19 per 100 000 is likely a vast underestimate given the challenges and barriers to case detection. Limited diagnostics also affect the diagnosis of multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB, reported as comprising 8.8% of new diagnoses in 2017.Conclusions: The control of TB in Syria requires a multipronged, tailored, and pragmatic approach to improve timely diagnosis, increase detection, stop transmission, and mitigate the risk of drug resistance. Solutions must also consider vulnerable populations such as imprisoned and besieged communities where the risk of drug resistance is particularly high, and must recognize the limitations of national programming. Strengthening capacity to control TB in Syria with particular attention to these factors will positively impact other parallel conditions; this is key as attention turns to post-conflict reconstruction.
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| 4. |
- Abbara, Aula, et al.
(författare)
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Weaponizing water as an instrument of war in Syria: Impact on diarrhoeal disease in Idlib and Aleppo governorates, 2011–2019
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 108, s. 202-208
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Investigate the weaponization of water during the Syrian conflict and the correlation of attacks on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Idlib and Aleppo governorates with trends in waterborne diseases reported by Early Warning and Response surveillance systems.Methods: We reviewed literature and databases to obtain information on attacks on WASH in Aleppo and Idlib governorates between 2011 and 2019. We plotted weekly trends in waterborne diseases from two surveillance systems operational in Aleppo and Idlib governorates between 2015 and early 2020.Results: The literature review noted several attacks on water and related infrastructure in both governorates, suggesting that WASH infrastructure was weaponized by state and non-state actors. Most interference with WASH in the Aleppo governorate occurred before 2019 and in the Idlib governorate in the summer of 2020. Other acute diarrhea represented >90% of cases of diarrhea; children under 5 years contributed 50% of cases. There was substantial evidence (p < 0.001) of an overall upward trend in cases of diarrheal disease.Conclusions: Though no direct correlation can be drawn between the weaponization of WASH and the burden of waterborne infections due to multiple confounders, this research introduces important concepts on attacks on WASH and their potential impacts on waterborne diseases.
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| 8. |
- Al Abri, Seif, et al.
(författare)
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Tools to implement the World Health Organization End TB Strategy: Addressing common challenges in high and low endemic countries
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 92, s. S60-S68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The purpose of this viewpoint is to summarize the advantages and constraints of the tools and strategies available for reducing the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) by implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy and the linked WHO TB Elimination Framework, with special reference to Oman. Methods: The case-study was built based on the presentations and discussions at an international workshop on TB elimination in low incidence countries organized by the Ministry of Health, Oman, which took place from September 5 to September 7, 2019, and supported by the WHO and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Results: Existing tools were reviewed, including the screening of migrants for latent TB infection (LTBI) with interferon-gamma release assays, clinical examination for active pulmonary TB (APTB) including chest X-rays, organization of laboratory services, and the existing centres for mandatory health examination of pre-arrival or arriving migrants, including examination for APTB. The need for public-private partnerships to handle the burden of screening arriving migrants for active TB was discussed at length and different models for financing were reviewed. Conclusions: In a country with a high proportion of migrants from high endemic countries, screening for LTBI is of high priority. Molecular typing and the development of public-private partnerships are needed. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.
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| 10. |
- Allwell-Brown, Gbemisola, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of trends in reported antibiotic use among sick children under five years of age across low-income and middle-income countries in 2005–17: A systematic analysis of user characteristics based on 132 national surveys from 73 countries
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 108, s. 473-482
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study aimed to analyze any reported antibiotic use for children aged <5 years with fever, diarrhea or cough with fast or difficult breathing (outcome) from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) during 2005–2017 by user characteristics: rural/urban residence, maternal education, household wealth, and healthcare source visited. Methods: Based on 132 demographic and health surveys and multiple indicator cluster surveys from 73 LMICs, the outcome by user characteristics for all country-years was estimated using a hierarchical Bayesian linear regression model. Results: Across LMICs during 2005–2017, the greatest relative increases in the outcome occurred in rural areas, poorest quintiles and least educated populations, particularly in low-income countries and South-East Asia. In low-income countries, rural areas had a 72% relative increase from 17.8% (Uncertainty Interval (UI): 5.2%–44.9%) in 2005 to 30.6% (11.7%–62.1%) in 2017, compared to a 29% relative increase in urban areas from 27.1% (8.7%–58.2%) in 2005 to 34.9% (13.3%–67.3%) in 2017. Despite these increases, the outcome was consistently highest in urban areas, wealthiest quintiles, and populations with the highest maternal education. Conclusion: These estimates suggest that the increasing reported antibiotic use for sick children aged <5 years in LMICs during 2005–2017 was driven by gains among groups often underserved by formal health services. © 2021 The Author(s)
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