Teaching appropriate antibiotic use in developing countries

Abstract

The use of antimicrobial drugs has saved countless lives and reduced the morbidity of infectious diseases. However, the growing threat from resistant microorganisms calls for cost-effective interventions to prevent the emergence of new resistant strains and the spread of existing ones. One approach to reduce the incidence of infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms is to control the inappropriate use of antibiotics in both the hospital and community settings. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to identify the factors involved in physician's antibiotic prescription patterns and to elaborate educational interventions that can be adapted to different clinical scenarios. Several studies in developed countries have shown the potential benefit of these interventions. However, developing countries pose a special situation as they lack adequate pharmacological surveillance systems, antimicrobial drugs are widely available to the public (even without prescription), and continuous medical education programs for physicians are non-existent. The implementation of educational programs directed to the judicious use of antimicrobial drugs might probe to be the most efficient intervention in developing countries in the worldwide battle against antimicrobial resistance.