6 result(s)
6 result(s)
Journal Article > ReviewFull Text
BMC Infect Dis. 7 February 2025; Volume 25 (Issue 1); 187.; DOI:10.1186/s12879-025-10569-3
Wild AShortall CDewachi ONaim CGreen A et al.
BMC Infect Dis. 7 February 2025; Volume 25 (Issue 1); 187.; DOI:10.1186/s12879-025-10569-3

BACKGROUND

While the relationship between conflict-associated injuries and antimicrobial resistance is increasingly being elucidated, data concerning civilian casualties is sparse. This systematic review assesses literature focused on Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) Priority Pathogens causing infections in civilian wounds and burns in conflict-affected countries within the World Health Organisation's Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (EMRO)


METHODS

 A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five databases and grey literature were searched, identifying studies published from January 2010 to June 2024. Search terms included "wounds", "burns," "antimicrobial resistance", and the twelve countries of interest. Included studies reported resistance of GLASS pathogens. Two reviewers used Covidence to assess papers for inclusion. Data were extracted into a spreadsheet for analysis. Where quantitative data were available, medians, interquartile ranges and percentages were calculated by pathogen and country.


RESULTS

621 records were identified; 19 studies met inclusion criteria. Nine of the papers were from Iraq, three from Libya, three from Lebanon, one each from Yemen and Gaza; two reported on conflict affected refugees in Jordan. A total of 1,942 distinct microbiological isolates were reported, representing all four critical and high priority GLASS pathogen categories. Among the isolates, Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent (36.3%). Median resistances identified: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 680): 55.6% (IQR:49.65-90.3%); carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 372): 22.14% (7.43-52.22%); carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 366): 60.3% (32.1-85%); carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 75): 12.65% (9.73-34.25%); ceftriaxone resistant Escherichia coli (n = 63): 76% (69-84.65%); ceftriaxone resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 40): 81.45% (76.73-86.18%). Only three studies had a low risk of bias.


DISCUSSION

Findings imply high rates of GLASS priority pathogens among wounded civilians in conflict-affected EMRO countries. However, evidence was heterogeneous, low quality and sparse in certain countries, highlighting the necessity of effective surveillance including standardised data collection. Improving primary data will facilitate the production of large, high-quality studies throughout the EMRO, including under-represented countries.

Conclusion: Laboratory diagnostic capacity building and improved surveillance in conflict-affected settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are required to assess the burden of GLASS priority pathogens in vulnerable non-combatant populations.

Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 4 June 2021; Volume 16 (Issue 6); e0252460.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0252460
Kuehne AVan Boetzelaer EAlfani PFotso AElhammali H et al.
PLOS One. 4 June 2021; Volume 16 (Issue 6); e0252460.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0252460
Libya is a major transit and destination country for international migration. UN agencies estimates 571,464 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya in 2021; among these, 3,934 people are held in detention. We aimed to describe morbidities and water, hygiene, and sanitation (WHS) conditions in detention in Tripoli, Libya. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected between July 2018 and December 2019, as part of routine monitoring within an Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) project providing healthcare and WHS support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in some of the official detention centres (DC) in Tripoli. MSF had access to 1,630 detainees in eight different DCs on average per month. Only one DC was accessible to MSF every single month. The size of wall openings permitting cell ventilation failed to meet minimum standards in all DCs. Minimum standards for floor space, availability of water, toilets and showers were frequently not met. The most frequent diseases were acute respiratory tract infections (26.9%; 6,775/25,135), musculoskeletal diseases (24.1%; 6,058/25,135), skin diseases (14.1%; 3,538/25,135) and heartburn and reflux (10.0%; 2,502/25,135). Additionally, MSF recorded 190 cases of violence-induced wounds and 55 cases of sexual and gender-based violence. During an exhaustive nutrition screening in one DC, linear regression showed a reduction in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 2.5mm per month in detention (95%-CI 1.3-3.7, p<0.001). Detention of men, women and children continues to take place in Tripoli. Living conditions failed to meet minimum requirements. Health problems diagnosed at MSF consultations reflect the living conditions and consist largely of diseases related to overcrowding, lack of water and ventilation, and poor diet. Furthermore, every month that people stay in detention increases their risk of malnutrition. The documented living conditions and health problems call for an end of detention and better protection of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 31 March 2016; Volume 11 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0152676
Rostrup MEdwards JKAbukalish MEzzabi MSome D et al.
PLOS One. 31 March 2016; Volume 11 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0152676
Outbreaks of methanol poisoning occur frequently on a global basis, affecting poor and vulnerable populations. Knowledge regarding methanol is limited, likely many cases and even outbreaks go unnoticed, with patients dying unnecessarily. We describe findings from the first three large outbreaks of methanol poisoning where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) responded, and evaluate the benefits of a possible future collaboration between local health authorities, a Non-Governmental Organisation and international expertise.
Journal Article > LetterFull Text
Br J Midwifery. 3 October 2018; Volume 26 (Issue 10); DOI:10.12968/bjom.2018.26.10.632
Nicholl J
Br J Midwifery. 3 October 2018; Volume 26 (Issue 10); DOI:10.12968/bjom.2018.26.10.632
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Confl Health. 13 January 2017; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 1.; DOI:10.1186/s13031-017-0103-3
Crepet ARita FReid AJvan den Boogaard WDeiana P et al.
Confl Health. 13 January 2017; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 1.; DOI:10.1186/s13031-017-0103-3
In 2015, Italy was the second most common point of entry for asylum seekers into Europe after Greece. The vast majority embarked from war-torn Libya; 80,000 people claimed asylum that year. Their medical conditions were assessed on arrival but their mental health needs were not addressed in any way, despite the likelihood of serious trauma before and during migration. Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), in agreement with the Italian Ministry of Health, provided mental health (MH) assessment and care for recently-landed asylum seekers in Sicily. This study documents mental health conditions, potentially traumatic events and post-migratory living difficulties experienced by asylum seekers in the MSF programme in 2014-15.
Journal Article > Meta-AnalysisFull Text
Trop Med Int Health. 3 May 2021; Volume 26 (Issue 8); 862-881.; DOI:10.1111/tmi.13600
Yeika EVIngelbeen BKemah BLWirsiy FSFomengia JN et al.
Trop Med Int Health. 3 May 2021; Volume 26 (Issue 8); 862-881.; DOI:10.1111/tmi.13600
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the prevalence, reasons, sources and factors associated with self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) within Africa.

METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis. An electronic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed for observational studies conducted between January 2005 and February 2020. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full texts using the PRISMA flowchart and performed quality assessment of eligible studies. Both qualitative and quantitative syntheses were carried out.

RESULTS
Forty studies from 19 countries were eligible for qualitative synthesis. The prevalence of SMA in Africa ranged from 12.1% to 93.9% with a median prevalence of 55.7% (IQR 41-75%). Western Africa was the sub-region with the highest reported prevalence of 70.1% (IQR 48.3-82.1%), followed by Northern Africa with 48.1% (IQR 41.1-64.3%). We identified 27 antibiotics used for self-medication from 13 different antibiotic classes. Most frequently used antibiotics were penicillins (31 studies), tetracyclines (25 studies) and fluoroquinolones (23 studies). 41% of these antibiotics belong to the WHO Watch Group. The most frequent indications for SMA were upper respiratory tract infections (27 studies), gastrointestinal tract symptoms (25 studies) and febrile illnesses (18 studies). Common sources of antibiotics used for self-medication were community pharmacies (31 studies), family/friends (20 studies), leftover antibiotics (19 studies) and patent medicine stores (18 studies). The most frequently reported factor associated with SMA was no education/low educational status (nine studies).

CONCLUSION
The prevalence of SMA is high in Africa and varies across sub-regions with the highest prevalence reported in Western Africa. Drivers of SMA are complex, comprising of socio-economic factors and insufficient access to health care coupled with poorly implemented policies regulating antibiotic sales.