Antibiotic Resistance and How to Limit Volume 53- Issue 4

Anas Malik Radif Alubaidi, MBChB, MSc, PgDip, Prof Dip Paeds(RCPI)^1-5*

• ¹Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery, Baghdad University, Iraq
• ²Master of Science in Public Health, University of South Wales, United Kingdom
• ³Postgraduate Diploma Degree in Acute Medicine, University of South Wales, United Kingdom
• ⁴Postgraduate Diploma Degree in Care of the Elderly, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, United Kingdom
• ⁵Professional diploma in Pediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Ireland

Received: October 27, 2023;   Published: November 08, 2023

*Corresponding author: Anas Malik Radif Alubaidi, MBChB, MSc, PgDip, Prof Dip Paeds (RCPI), Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery, Baghdad University, Iraq, Master of Science in Public Health, University of South Wales, United Kingdom, Postgraduate Diploma Degree in Acute Medicine, University of South Wales, United Kingdom, Postgraduate Diploma Degree in Care of the Elderly, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, United Kingdom, Professional diploma in Pediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Ireland

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2023.53.008434

Abstract PDF

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide burden in healthcare setting. It is a global concern as a medical outcome due to overuse and/ or misuse of the antibiotics in treating patients. It is crucial to be reflected and to be addressed continuously whether on healthcare level and/ or on public health level. It is both public health and global health concern.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance might occur at both the developed and the devolving countries. Although at the developed countries, the antibiotics only dispensed or provided per prescriptions but still there might be overuse of the antibiotics or prescribing antibiotics for the wrong infectious diagnosis which might resulting in antibiotic resistance. While, in the developing countries this outcome occurs due to providing antibiotics without prescriptions in some of these countries which would lead to resistance. According to World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance makes the infections hard to be treated and to be cured because the antibiotics that used to treat them became less effective. As longterm outcomes, the antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality rates [1]. Per World Health Organization (WHO), in order to reduce, limit, and control antibiotic resistance then steps need to be taken at all levels of the society including individuals, policymakers, healthcare providers, and health industry.

On the level of individuals; always to follow the instructions of the healthcare professionals, only to use the antibiotics when prescribed, and never to share the leftover prescribed antibiotics. On the level of policymakers; to improve surveillance, making information available on the impact of the antibiotic resistance, and to ensure a robust national action plan to tackle antibiotic resistance is in place. On the level of the healthcare professionals/ providers; only to prescribe and to dispense antibiotics when needed, report the antibiotic resistant infections to the surveillance teams, and talk to the patients about preventing infections. On the level of health industry; investing in research and development of new antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics [1].

This work was completed in partial fulfillment of a PgDip in Family Medicine course with Learna, validated by the University of Buckingham.

1. (2020) WHO. Antibiotic resistance.