Thursday, 21 April 2022

Armed conflict and the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance: The situation in war-ravaged Afghanistan

Review (Published online: 21-04-2022)
5. Armed conflict and the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance: The situation in war-ravaged Afghanistan
Mohammad Aman Ahmadzai, Qiamudin Shinwari, Agharid A. Al-Rasheed and Bashiru Garba
International Journal of One Health, 8(1): 43-47

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a serious impediment to the attainment of the World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to ensure and promote healthy living among humans and animals. Studies have identified the vulnerability of conflict-affected populations to exposure to antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Resource-limited countries like Afghanistan have suffered for long periods from armed conflicts, and this situation is exacerbated by the already poor or dilapidated healthcare delivery services. The country has suffered human and economic losses due to antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections driven by the prolonged war, as well as a limited number of antimicrobials and frequent under dosage. Most reports point to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics as the main reason for building up resistant strains. There is a need for more efforts toward identifying the major contributors and enlightening the public on the importance of AMR. This review aimed to provide a critical appraisal regarding the current situation of AMR in Afghanistan.

Keywords: Afghanistan, antimicrobial resistance, armed conflict, hospital-acquired infection, public health.



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