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. 2024 Mar 22:15:1345145.
doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1345145. eCollection 2024.

Prevalence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial resistance in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yibeltal Assefa Atalay  1 , Kelemu Abebe Gelaw  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial resistance in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yibeltal Assefa Atalay et al. Front Microbiol. .

Abstract

Background: One of the main threats to public health today is antibiotic resistance. This resistance leads to the persistence of infections in the body. It poses an increased risk of transmission to humans and animals through various routes, such as food, water, and the environment.

Objectives: This study aimed to ascertain the overall prevalence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial resistance in Africa.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies was conducted in Africa according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were conducted using appropriate search terms in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel, and STATA version 14 was used for analysis. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot, Egger, and Begg regression tests. A p-value of 0.05 was regarded to indicate potential publication bias. Using I2 statistics, the heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated. Using forest plots, the random effect model was used to present the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of meta-analysis.

Results: This review included 39 studies, with 18,769 study participants. Among these 39 studies, 38 were on knowledge assessment, 28 on attitude assessment, and 25 on good practice assessment towards antimicrobial resistances. The overall pooled prevalence level of knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance in Africa was 55.33% (95% CI: 47.48, 63.18). The overall pooled prevalence of positive attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance in Africa was 46.93% (95% CI: 35.10, 58.76), and the overall pooled prevalence of good practice of antimicrobial resistance in Africa was 51.05% (95% CI: 45.24, 56.87). In addition, sub-group statistical analysis was performed in this meta-analysis, stratified by population sub-region and study design types.

Conclusion: In Africa, the pooled prevalence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial drug resistance among different groups, including the general population, patients, tertiary school students, healthcare workers, and animal owners was found to be low level. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the education and training programs regarding antibiotic resistance for various groups including the general public, patients, students, healthcare workers, and individuals responsible for the well-being of animals.

Keywords: Africa; antimicrobial resistance; attitude; knowledge; meta-analysis; practice; prevalence; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram explaining selection of primary studies in Africa.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot for good knowledge toward antimicrobial resistance in Africa.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot for the positive attitude of antimicrobial resistance in Africa.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot for good practice of antimicrobial resistance in Africa.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Funnel plots of publication bias. (A) For a good level of antimicrobial-resistant knowledge, (B) attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance, and (C) practices towards antimicrobial resistance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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