East African antimicrobial resistance burden: a descriptive study of an increasing cross-border public health risk
1
Department of Public Health, Cavendish University Uganda, Kampala, Uganda, Geita, Tanzania, United Republic of
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
with a projected 1.27 million fatalities in 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world's fastest-growing health risks.^1 AMR rates are disproportionately high in east africa, particularly for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, klebsiella pneumoniae, and E.coli.^2-4 cross-country spread is accelerated by weak borders, inadequate surveillance systems, and excessive antibiotic use.^3,5 recent data shows, resistance to commonly used antibiotics exceeds 40–60% for several diseases in e.africa.^5 AMR is a crucial issue for attaining "health without borders" since it jeopardizes treatment efficacy, increases mortality, and raises healthcare expenditures.^1 goal:to outline the prevalence, patterns, and public health consequences of AMR in east africa and to pinpoint feasible innovations and policy options to improve antimicrobial stewardship and cross-border surveillance.
METHODS:
secondary data from the who global antimicrobial resistance surveillance system (glass), africa CDC reports, national health laboratory systems, and peer-reviewed publications were used in descriptive research.^3,5,6,7 indicators analyzed included prevalence of first- and second-line antibiotic resistance, laboratory reporting capacity, and trends in priority infections from 2017 to 2024.^4,8
RESULTS:
the prevalence of AMR remains high, with e. coli resistance to ciprofloxacin exceeding 55% in tanzania, 62% in kenya, and 58% in uganda. an estimated 4–5% of new tb cases in the region are multidrug-resistant. less than 35% of laboratories are equipped for routine AMR testing, and only three east african nations meet who's minimum surveillance standards. early indicators of decreased antibiotic misuse at the primary care level are observed in countries with robust stewardship programs, such as rwanda and kenya.
CONCLUSIONS:
AMR is a global threat requiring regional coordination. gaps in stewardship, surveillance, and laboratory capacity persist. strengthening cross-border reporting, digital networks, prescription policies, and community education could slow AMR progression.^3,5,6,10 innovations & policy implications:establish an amr digital hub under africa cdc,^3,10 engage community health workers,^6 provide solar-powered laboratory diagnostics,^6 and enforce regulations limiting over-the-counter antibiotic sales.^6
with a projected 1.27 million fatalities in 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world's fastest-growing health risks.^1 AMR rates are disproportionately high in east africa, particularly for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, klebsiella pneumoniae, and E.coli.^2-4 cross-country spread is accelerated by weak borders, inadequate surveillance systems, and excessive antibiotic use.^3,5 recent data shows, resistance to commonly used antibiotics exceeds 40–60% for several diseases in e.africa.^5 AMR is a crucial issue for attaining "health without borders" since it jeopardizes treatment efficacy, increases mortality, and raises healthcare expenditures.^1 goal:to outline the prevalence, patterns, and public health consequences of AMR in east africa and to pinpoint feasible innovations and policy options to improve antimicrobial stewardship and cross-border surveillance.
METHODS:
secondary data from the who global antimicrobial resistance surveillance system (glass), africa CDC reports, national health laboratory systems, and peer-reviewed publications were used in descriptive research.^3,5,6,7 indicators analyzed included prevalence of first- and second-line antibiotic resistance, laboratory reporting capacity, and trends in priority infections from 2017 to 2024.^4,8
RESULTS:
the prevalence of AMR remains high, with e. coli resistance to ciprofloxacin exceeding 55% in tanzania, 62% in kenya, and 58% in uganda. an estimated 4–5% of new tb cases in the region are multidrug-resistant. less than 35% of laboratories are equipped for routine AMR testing, and only three east african nations meet who's minimum surveillance standards. early indicators of decreased antibiotic misuse at the primary care level are observed in countries with robust stewardship programs, such as rwanda and kenya.
CONCLUSIONS:
AMR is a global threat requiring regional coordination. gaps in stewardship, surveillance, and laboratory capacity persist. strengthening cross-border reporting, digital networks, prescription policies, and community education could slow AMR progression.^3,5,6,10 innovations & policy implications:establish an amr digital hub under africa cdc,^3,10 engage community health workers,^6 provide solar-powered laboratory diagnostics,^6 and enforce regulations limiting over-the-counter antibiotic sales.^6
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
