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.

Genotypic Characterisation and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing in Humans, Animals, and the Environment from Lusaka, Zambia: Public Health Implications and One Health Surveillance.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) in are a serious concern due to their role in developing multidrug resistance (MDR) and difficult-to-treat infections.

Objective: This study aimed to identify ESBL-carrying strains from both clinical and environmental sources in Lusaka District, Zambia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 58 ESBL-producing strains from hospital inpatients, outpatients, and non-hospital environments.

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.

Assessment of antimicrobial resistance laboratory-based surveillance capacity of hospitals in Zambia: findings and implications for system strengthening.

Background: A well-established antimicrobial resistance (AMR) laboratory-based surveillance (LBS) is of utmost importance in a country like Zambia which bears a significant proportion of the world's communicable disease burden. This study assessed the capacity of laboratories in selected hospitals to conduct AMR surveillance in Zambia.

Methods: This cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted among eight purposively selected hospitals in Zambia between August 2023 and December 2023.

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of nanocellulose extracted from okra () fiber.

Nanocellulose, especially originating from a natural source, has already shown immense potential to be considered in various fields, namely packaging, papermaking, composites, biomedical engineering, flame retardant, and thermal insulating materials, etc. due to its environmental friendliness and novel functionalities. Thus, a thorough characterization of nanocellulose is a hot research topic of research communities in a view to judge its suitability to be used in a specific area.