Antimicrobial resistance preparedness in sub-Saharan African countries
Open accessAbstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of growing concern globally and AMR status in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undefined due to a lack of real-time data recording, surveillance and regulation. World Health Organization (WHO) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) reports are voluntary, collaborative processes to assess country capacities and preparedness to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to public health risks, including AMR. The data from SSA JEE reports were analysed to gain an overview of how SSA is working towards AMR preparedness and where strengths and weaknesses lie. Methods: SSA country JEE AMR preparedness scores were analysed. A cumulative mean of all the SSA country AMR preparedness scores was calculated and compared to the overall mean SSA JEE score. AMR preparedness indicators were analysed, and data were weighted by region. Findings: The mean SSA AMR preparedness score was 53% less than the overall mean SSA JEE score. East Africa had the highest percentage of countries reporting having AMR National Action Plans in place, as well as human and animal pathogen AMR surveillance programmes. Southern Africa reported the highest percentage of countries with training programmes and antimicrobial stewardship. Conclusions: The low mean AMR preparedness score compared to overall JEE score, along with the majority of countries lacking implemented National Action Plans, suggests that until now AMR has not been a priority for most SSA countries. By identifying regional and One Health strengths, AMR preparedness can be fortified across SSA with a multisectoral approach.
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Fifty-nine percent of SSA countries reported having a dedicated laboratory that serves as the National Reference Laboratory for AMR.
“Fifty-nine percent of the countries reported having a dedicated laboratory that serves as the National Reference Laboratory for AMR.”
From Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Where Are We Now? (2022) · cites this paper as [193]
The Results say that 59% of SSA countries reported sending AMR samples to a dedicated National Reference Laboratory. That does not establish that those countries had such a laboratory; Table 6 instead reports a national AMR laboratory for 27 of 44 countries (61%). (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredA more recent study found that 11 (25%) out of 44 SSA countries had NAPs on AMR, with 32% and 2% performing routine AMR surveillance on clinical and veterinary pathogens, respectively.
“A more recent study found that 11 (25%) out of 44 SSA countries had NAPs on AMR, with 32% and 2% performing routine AMR surveillance on clinical and veterinary pathogens, respectively.193”
From Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Where Are We Now? (2022) · cites this paper as [193]
A high number of East African countries was found to be undertaking AMR surveillance in human and animal pathogens.
“A high number of East African countries was found to be undertaking AMR surveillance in human and animal pathogens.193,194”
From Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Where Are We Now? (2022) · cites this paper as [193]
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Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Where Are We Now?
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- Authors
- Elton, L., Thomason, M. J., Tembo, J., Velavan, T. P., Pallerla, S. R., Arruda, L. B., Vairo, F., Montaldo, C., Ntoumi, F., Abdel Hamid, M. M., Haider, N., Kock, R., Ippolito, G., Zumla, A., McHugh, T. D., & the PANDORA-ID-NET consortium
- Affiliations
- University College London (GB)
- University of Lusaka (ZM)
- Duy Tan University (VN)
- University of Tübingen (DE)
- Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani (IT)
- Fondation Congolaise Pour La Recherche Médicale (CG)
- Royal Veterinary College (GB)
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Elton, Linzy
- ORCID
- Venue
- Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control
- Published
- 2020-08-28
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 145-145
- ISSN
- 2047-2994 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7456056
- OpenAlex
- W3082575270
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 10.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RVC Research Online (Royal Veterinary College) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Greater South Information System
- Funders
- European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (RIA2016E-1609)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Keywords
- antimicrobial resistance, sub-Saharan Africa, Joint External Evaluation, national action plans, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, One Health, public health capacity, regional disparities
- MeSH terms
- Antimicrobial Stewardship, One Health, Humans, Public Health, World Health Organization, Africa South of the Sahara, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
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