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- Allwell-Brown, Gbemisola
(författare)
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Antibiotic use among children in low- and middle-income countries : Studies on global trends, and contextual determinants of antibiotic prescribing in Eastern Uganda
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis aimed to systematically map trends in reported antibiotic use (RAU) among sick under-five children across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2005-2017, and, to understand the contextual determinants of antibiotic prescribing in Eastern Uganda. Based on 132 national surveys from 73 LMICs, and using Bayesian linear regression models, trends in RAU among sick under-five children (with symptoms of fever, diarrhoea or cough with fast/difficult breathing) across LMICs in 2005-2017 were mapped by WHO region, World Bank country income group, symptom complaint (Study-I), and by the following user characteristics: rural/urban residence, maternal education, household wealth and source of care (Study-II). To provide context, Study-III investigated patterns and contextual determinants of antibiotic prescribing for febrile under-five outpatients (FUO) attending 37 primary and secondary healthcare facilities across Bugisu, a sub-region in Eastern Uganda, based on a healthcare facility survey, and a two-year retrospective review of outpatient registers from January 2019-December 2020. To further strengthen the understanding of contextual determinants of antibiotic prescribing, in Study-IV, 10 focus group discussions and 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with 85 healthcare providers across primary and secondary healthcare facilities in Bugisu, and analysed using thematic analysis.A modest (17%) relative increase in RAU for sick under-five children across LMICs in 2005-2017 was found, with about 43% of the children reportedly receiving antibiotics for their illness in 2017. Low-income, African, and South-East Asian countries consistently recorded the lowest RAU for sick under-five children. Within LMICs, RAU for sick under-five children increased across all user groups in 2005-2017 but remained lowest among the poorest children, those living in rural areas, and having mothers with the lowest education levels. In Bugisu, 62.2% of FUO in surveyed healthcare facilities received antibiotic prescriptions. Amoxicillin and co-trimoxazole accounted for two-thirds of all antibiotic prescriptions. Cotrimoxazole and ampicillin/cloxacillin were prescribed, despite not being indicated in any of the reported conditions in Study-III. Among other interrelated factors across multiple levels of the health system, availability of antibiotics and diagnostics within healthcare facilities, caregiver demands, and governance at national and sub-national levels were important health worker considerations in antibiotic prescribing for febrile under-five patients.These studies suggest that inequitable access to antibiotics remains a challenge between and within LMICs. Yet, misuse and wastage of antibiotics persists in the same populations with the greatest lack of access to antibiotics and formal healthcare services. A health systems strengthening approach is required to improve antibiotic stewardship and overall quality of care in LMICs.
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| 2. |
- Johansson, Emily White, 1976-
(författare)
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Beyond “test and treat” : Malaria diagnosis for improved pediatric fever management in sub-Saharan Africa
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis examined malaria test use, adherence and integration into clinical practice for improved pediatric fever management in sub-Saharan African countries and explored Access, Facility Readiness and Clinical Practice bottlenecks to achieve this program goal.Study I examined diagnostic testing rates and its determinants for pediatric fevers across 13 countries in 2009-2012 including Access bottlenecks. Study II evaluated the effect of testing on treatment decisions at the population level in 12 countries in 2010-2012 and explored reasons for varying country results across Access, Facility Readiness and Clinical Practice bottlenecks. Study III explored Facility Readiness and Clinical Practice bottlenecks for using malaria diagnosis for improved pediatric fever management in Mbarara District Uganda. Study IV examined integrated pediatric fever management using RDT and IMCI in Malawi health facilities in 2013-2014 including Facility Readiness and Clinical Practice bottlenecks.Malaria testing of pediatric fevers was low (17%) and inequitable at the outset of new guidelines with febrile children in least poor household more often tested than in poorest (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39-1.91) (Study I). Significant variability was found in the effect of testing on ACT use across countries (e.g. Uganda OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.66-1.06; Mozambique OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.33-5.39). Four main themes explained varying results: available diagnostics and medicines; quality of care; care-seeking behavior; and malaria epidemiology (Study II). In Mbarara District Uganda malaria over-treatment for RDT-negative results reportedly occurred and was driven by RDT perceptions, system constraints and provider-client interactions (Study III). In Malawi health facilities, there was common compliance to malaria treatment guidelines in sick child consultations. 72% were tested or referred for malaria diagnosis and 85% with RDT-confirmed malaria were prescribed first-line anti-malarials. Yet integrated pediatric fever management was sub-optimal in terms of other assessments completed and antibiotic targeting. 28% with IMCI-pneumonia were not prescribed any antibiotic and 59% ‘without antibiotic need’ were prescribed any antibiotic. Few eligible clients had respiratory rates counted to identify antibiotic need for IMCI-pneumonia (18%). RDT-negative children had 16.8 (95% CI: 8.6-32.7) times higher antibiotic over-treatment odds compared to positive cases and this effect was conditioned by cough or difficult breathing complaints (Study IV).Thesis findings highlight Access, Facility Readiness and Clinical Practice bottlenecks that need to be addressed to use malaria diagnosis for improved pediatric fever management. Programs must move beyond malaria-focused ‘test and treat’ strategies towards ‘IMCI with testing’ in order to conceptualize RDT as one part of the established algorithm for managing sick children in an integrated manner. RDT should also be viewed as an important entry point for contributing to ongoing health system strengthening efforts.
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