The Impact of COVID-19 on Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of Ni-Vanuatu Health Workers Regarding Antibiotic Prescribing and Antibiotic Resistance, 2018 and 2022: A Mixed Methods Study.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is included in the ten most urgent global public health threats. Global evidence suggests that antibiotics were over prescribed during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Inappropriate use of antibiotics drives the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic Consumption in Vanuatu before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2018 to 2021: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

The study objectives were to examine antibiotic consumption at Vila Central Hospital (VCH), Vanuatu between January 2018 and December 2021 and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic consumption during this period. Data on antibiotic usage were obtained from the Pharmacy database. We used the WHO's Anatomical Therapeutic Classification/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) index, VCH's inpatient bed numbers and the hospital's catchment population to calculate monthly antibiotic consumption.