Antimicrobial resistance in the context of the Syrian conflict: drivers before and after the onset of conflict and key recommendations
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Current evidence describing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of the Syrian conflict is of poor quality and sparse in nature. This paper explores and reports the major drivers of AMR that were present in Syria pre-conflict and those that have emerged since its onset in March 2011. Drivers that existed before the conflict included a lack of enforcement of existing legislation to regulate over-the-counter antibiotics and notification of communicable diseases. This contributed to a number of drivers of AMR after the onset of conflict, and these were also compounded by the exodus of trained staff, the increase in overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, the increase in injuries, and economic sanctions limiting the availability of required laboratory medical materials and equipment. Addressing AMR in this context requires pragmatic, multifaceted action at the local, regional, and international levels to detect and manage potentially high rates of multidrug-resistant infections. Priorities are (1) the development of a competent surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections, (2) antimicrobial stewardship, and (3) the creation of cost-effective and implementable infection control policies. However, it is only by addressing the conflict and immediate cessation of the targeting of health facilities that the rehabilitation of the health system, which is key to addressing AMR in this context, can progress.
Date Issued
2018-08-01
Date Acceptance
2018-05-16
Citation
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2018, 73, pp.1-6
ISSN
1201-9712
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
6
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume
73
Copyright Statement
©
2018
The
Authors.
Published
by
Elsevier
Ltd
on
behalf
of
International
Society
for
Infectious
Diseases.
This
is
an
open
access
article
under
the
CC
BY-NC-ND
license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
2018
The
Authors.
Published
by
Elsevier
Ltd
on
behalf
of
International
Society
for
Infectious
Diseases.
This
is
an
open
access
article
under
the
CC
BY-NC-ND
license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Subjects
Antimicrobial resistance
Syria
conflict
refugees
surveillance
0605 Microbiology
1108 Medical Microbiology
Microbiology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-05-21