Bacteriology testing and antimicrobial resistance detection capacity of national tiered laboratory networks in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis from 14 countries.

Background: Accurate detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) depends on adequate laboratory capacity. We aimed to document key weaknesses hindering AMR detection at various tiers of laboratory networks in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and analyse their significance in AMR surveillance and policies.

Methods: In this analysis, we obtained retrospective data on AMR and antimicrobial consumption from 14 countries participating in the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

Antibiotic use and adherence to the WHO AWaRe guidelines across 16 hospitals in Zambia: a point prevalence survey.

Background: The inappropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals contributes to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluated the prevalence of antibiotic use and adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics across 16 hospitals in Zambia.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study employing the WHO Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) methodology and WHO AWaRe classification of antibiotics was conducted among inpatients across 16 hospitals in December 2023, Zambia.

Antimicrobial stewardship situation analysis in selected hospitals in Zambia: findings and implications from a national survey.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are critical in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information regarding the capacity of hospitals to establish and implement AMS programs. The objective of this study was to conduct a baseline assessment of WHO core elements for an AMS program implementation in eight hospitals in Zambia.

An Assessment of Success Factors and Challenges in Implementation of Electronic Medical Record System in Referral Hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Introduction: The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) has significant benefits in improving the quality of hospital services in low resources settings. Despite efforts to implement various EMRs in different health facilities, there is scarce information on the challenges and success factors regarding EMR Implementation in Regional hospitals. The aim of this study is to assess the success and challenging factors in the implementation of an electronic medical record system at the regional referral Hospital.

Building Cross-Country Networks for Laboratory Capacity and Improvement.

Laboratory networks are vital to well-functioning public health systems and disease control efforts. Cross-country laboratory networks play a critical role in supporting epidemiologic surveillance, accelerating disease outbreak response, and tracking drug resistance. The East Africa Public Health Laboratory Network was established to bolster diagnostic and disease surveillance capacity.

Diaphragm used with replens gel and risk of bacterial vaginosis: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been linked to female HIV acquisition and transmission. We investigated the effect of providing a latex diaphragm with Replens and condoms compared to condom only on BV prevalence among participants enrolled in an HIV prevention trial.

Methods: We enrolled HIV-seronegative women and obtained a vaginal swab for diagnosis of BV using Nugent's criteria; women with BV (score 7-10) were compared to those with intermediate (score 4-6) and normal flora (score 0-3).

In vitro inhibitory activity of human vaginal lactobacilli against pathogenic bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis in Kenyan women.

Lactobacilli have been shown to inhibit in vitro growth of many pathogens and have been used as probiotics to treat a broad range of gastrointestinal and/or vaginal disorders. We sought to determine the in vitro inhibitory potential of lactobacilli of vaginal origin to some bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), to characterize the inhibitory substances produced by these lactobacilli and to assess H2O2 production. Vaginal specimens were obtained by swabbing the lateral vaginal walls from 107 women two months following BV treatment.