Shempela Doreen Mainza, Mudenda Steward, Kasanga Maisa, Daka Victor, Kangongwe Mundia Hendrix, Kamayani Mapeesho, Sikalima Jay, Yankonde Baron, Kasonde Cynthia Banda, Nakazwe Ruth, Mwandila Andrew, Cham Fatim, Njuguna Michael, Simwaka Bertha, Morrison Linden, Chizimu Joseph Yamweka, Muma John Bwalya, Chilengi Roma, Sichinga Karen
Churches Health Association of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.
Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.
Microorganisms. 2024 Aug 17;12(8):1697. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12081697.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and the inadequate capacity of laboratories to conduct AMR surveillance. This study assessed the capacity of laboratories in seven faith-based hospitals to conduct AMR testing and surveillance in Zambia. This multi-facility, cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from February 2024 to April 2024. We collected and analysed data using the self-scoring Laboratory Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance Testing Capacity (LAARC) tool. This study found an average score of 39%, indicating a low capacity of laboratories to conduct AMR surveillance. The highest capacity score was 47%, while the lowest was 25%. Only one hospital had a full capacity (100%) to utilise a laboratory information system (LIS). Three hospitals had a satisfactory capacity to perform data management with scores of 83%, 85%, and 95%. Only one hospital had a full capacity (100%) to process specimens, and only one hospital had good safety requirements for a microbiology laboratory, with a score of 89%. This study demonstrates that all the assessed hospitals had a low capacity to conduct AMR surveillance, which could affect diagnostic stewardship. Therefore, there is an urgent need to strengthen the microbiology capacity of laboratories to enhance AMR surveillance in Zambia.
抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）是一个公共卫生问题，抗生素的过度使用和滥用以及实验室开展AMR监测的能力不足加剧了这一问题。本研究评估了赞比亚七家教会医院的实验室开展AMR检测和监测的能力。这项多机构横断面探索性研究于2024年2月至2024年4月进行。我们使用自我评分的抗生素耐药性检测能力实验室评估（LAARC）工具收集和分析数据。本研究发现平均得分为39%，表明实验室开展AMR监测的能力较低。最高能力得分为47%，而最低得分为25%。只有一家医院具备充分能力（100%）使用实验室信息系统（LIS）。三家医院在数据管理方面具备令人满意的能力，得分分别为83%、85%和95%。只有一家医院具备充分能力（100%）处理标本，只有一家医院对微生物实验室的安全要求良好，得分为89%。本研究表明，所有评估的医院开展AMR监测的能力都较低，这可能会影响诊断管理。因此，迫切需要加强实验室的微生物学能力，以加强赞比亚的AMR监测。
