IJID regions最新文献

{"title":"Microbiology laboratory consolidation: Optimizing diagnostic efficiency and service quality—A case study from Dubai Health, United Arab Emirates","authors":"Rubina Lone ,&nbsp;Adnan Alatoom ,&nbsp;Anju Nabi ,&nbsp;Bhavna Mathur ,&nbsp;Maya Habou ,&nbsp;Rubina Monga ,&nbsp;Rupa Varghese ,&nbsp;Sam Daniel ,&nbsp;Shalinder Kour Hooda ,&nbsp;Sujith Joseph ,&nbsp;Hiba Saud Othman Alhumaidan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This case study evaluated the 2024 consolidation of microbiology laboratory services within Dubai Health’s network, aiming to enhance diagnostic efficiency, reduce costs, and standardize service quality across tertiary hospitals, primary health care centers, and medical fitness centers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A hub-and-spoke model was implemented, with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital as the central hub for non-urgent testing and rapid response laboratories at peripheral sites for urgent testing. The phased approach included infrastructure upgrades, standardized protocols, optimized transport logistics, and a unified laboratory information system. Performance metrics included sample delivery rates, cost reductions, specimen rejection rates, proficiency testing, and test volume changes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Consolidation achieved a 98.57% on-time delivery rate for routine samples and 97.90% for critical samples. Operational costs dropped by 6.1% for reagents, 62.7% for proficiency testing, and 19.01% for workforce, despite a 10.9% test volume increase. Specimen rejection rates decreased from 0.50% to 0.05%, and proficiency testing performance improved to 99.59%. The current procedural terminology code optimization boosted revenue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Dubai Health’s hub-and-spoke model enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and standardized quality, offering a scalable framework for global health care systems. In addition to demonstrating enhanced efficiency and cost savings, this study provides insights from the Gulf region where published data remain limited. By outlining practical strategies, such as phased redeployment, robust transport logistics, and continuous clinical engagement, this work offers a scalable model adaptable not only to Gulf countries but also to diverse health care systems worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental sampling reveals reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance in a tertiary care Indian hospital: an observational study to strengthen infection control practices","authors":"Kumari Vandana Singh,&nbsp;Mamta Puraswani,&nbsp;Aparna Ningombam,&nbsp;Ashita Ashita,&nbsp;Judy Mol Thomas,&nbsp;Neha Kumari Ambashta,&nbsp;Rasmi Rekha Deuri,&nbsp;Shoney Sam,&nbsp;Divya Ranic,&nbsp;Dennis Victor,&nbsp;Jacinta Gunjiyal,&nbsp;Kamran Farooque,&nbsp;Purva Mathur","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study was designed to assess the bacterial profile and their phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance pattern in samples from a level I trauma center in India.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 387 samples were collected from surfaces, equipment, water, and hand swabs of intensive care units (ICUs), wards, and other hospital locations between May 2021 and July 2022 and analyzed for bacterial identification (MALDI-TOF), antimicrobial susceptibility (Vitek2), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL and AmpC), and carbapenemase genes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The majority of isolates (91.5%) were Gram-negative; 44.1% of Gram-negative isolates were either multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR), with MDR being most common in <em>Acinetobacter spp.</em> (54.5%) and XDR in <em>Escherichia coli</em> (37.8%). Isolates also have a high prevalence of ESBL (55.5%), AmpC (45%), and carbapenemase (64.7%) genes. Isolates from ICUs and equipment had a significantly higher resistance and MDR percentage (34.5%, 38.7%). ICU isolates also have a significantly higher prevalence of carbapenemase genes (76%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides baseline data on antimicrobial resistance within the hospital and underlines the role of ICUs and equipment in cross-contamination, which can be used to devise evidence-based infection control practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100782"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advanced HIV disease at diagnosis among newly diagnosed people with HIV in rural eastern Uganda: a retrospective cohort study","authors":"Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo ,&nbsp;Saidi Appeli ,&nbsp;Jonathan Izudi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100778","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100778","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Advanced HIV disease (AHD) at diagnosis substantially contributes to HIV-related morbidity and mortality but has been understudied. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with AHD at diagnosis among newly diagnosed people with HIV (PWH) in rural eastern Uganda.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed PWH between May 2020 and July 2023 across 23 public health facilities in 14 districts in rural eastern Uganda. AHD at diagnosis was defined by a cluster of differentiation 4 count &lt;200 cells/µL or World Health Organization clinical stage 3-4 disease. A generalized linear mixed model was used to identify factors associated with AHD at diagnosis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 1233 participants, we found that 24/1233 (1.9%) had AHD at diagnosis. In adjusted analysis, AHD at diagnosis was independently associated with being male rather than female (adjusted odds ratio, 3.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-9.61).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The low prevalence of AHD at diagnosis among newly diagnosed PWH suggests progress toward earlier diagnosis in rural eastern Uganda. Men tended to present with AHD at diagnosis more than women, although the finding is imprecise. Our findings highlight the need for targeted, gender-sensitive interventions to promote early diagnosis and care linkage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100778"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metagenomics next-generation sequencing for diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases in patients with hematological diseases","authors":"Xi Chen ,&nbsp;Hongchao Qin ,&nbsp;Yuhua Song ,&nbsp;Yun Lian ,&nbsp;Qiqiang Long","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100780","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100780","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients with hematological disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>From January 2023 to January 2025, 67 patients with blood diseases hospitalized at the Hematology Department who were suspected of infection with IFD underwent metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and fungal pathogen detection. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory examinations were retrospectively analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A cohort of 67 patients was enrolled in the study, among which 32 cases were diagnosed with IFD through mNGS and etiological culture, while no fungal pathogens were detected in the remaining 35 cases. The diagnostic yield of mNGS for fungal infection detection (47.76%) demonstrated superior sensitivity compared to conventional pathogenic microbial culture (14.93%), β-D-glucan assay (11.94%), and galactomannan assay (2.99%). Within the IFD cohort, <em>Candida</em> species constituted the most prevalent etiology (46.88%, n = 15), followed by <em>Aspergillus</em> (18.75%, n = 6), <em>Penumocystis</em> (12.5%, n = 4), and <em>Rhizomucor</em> (12.5%, n = 4), with other fungal species accounting for the remaining cases (9.37%, n = 3). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed six independent risk factors associated with IFD in patients with hematological disorders: cluster of differentiation 4+ T cell count &lt;400 cells/µL (odds ratio [OR] = 9.45, <em>P</em> = 8.9×10^–5), elevated C-reactive protein (OR = 3.18, <em>P</em> = 0.027), elevated interleukin (IL)-6 (OR = 5.75, <em>P</em> = 0.001), elevated IL-10 (OR = 3.31, <em>P</em> = 0.033), hypoproteinemia (OR = 42.17, <em>P</em> = 0.013), and neutropenia lasting for more than 10 days (OR = 4.11, <em>P</em> = 0.015).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>mNGS has high sensitivity in detecting IFD in patients with hematological diseases. Cluster of differentiation 4+ cell count below 400/uL, increased level of C-reactive protein, IL-6, and IL-10, hypoproteinemia, and neutropenia lasting for more than 10 days are independent risk factors for IFD in patients with hematological diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100780"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dengue diagnosis in Guinea in two returning travelers from Côte d’Ivoire: a case report","authors":"Jacob Camara ,&nbsp;Youssouf Sidibé ,&nbsp;Giuditta Annibaldis ,&nbsp;Barré Soropogui ,&nbsp;Sarah Ryter ,&nbsp;Moussa Condé ,&nbsp;Eugène Kolie ,&nbsp;Ibrahim Nourdine ,&nbsp;Bakary Sylla ,&nbsp;Carolina van Gelder ,&nbsp;Nils Peter Petersen ,&nbsp;Mette Hinrichs ,&nbsp;Mamadou Diouldé Barry ,&nbsp;Soua Koulemou ,&nbsp;Bely Sonomy ,&nbsp;Mariame Traore ,&nbsp;Kaba Keïta ,&nbsp;Mamadou Saliou Sow ,&nbsp;Mamoudou Conde ,&nbsp;Kaba Keïta ,&nbsp;Sanaba Boumbaly","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dengue’s true burden on the African continent is likely underestimated. The majority of cases originate from West Africa, mostly from Burkina Faso. We report here the detection in Guinea of two imported cases of dengue in travelers returning from Côte d'Ivoire, one fatal (case 1) and one mild (case 2). Case 1 lived in Côte d’Ivoire and was diagnosed during a trip in Conakry, Guinea, on 14 August 2023, 9 days after symptom onset. He died on 21 August of an illness related to severe dengue; dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) was further identified. Case 2 was diagnosed in N’Zérékoré, a forested region of Guinea, with serotype 1 (DENV-1) on 11 July 2024, 2 days after disease onset, while returning from Côte d’Ivoire. He was hospitalized for 9 days until full recovery. In-country phylogenetic analysis of case 2 DENV-1 revealed its linkage with urban dengue viruses known to circulate in West Africa. This timely detection, supported by enhanced diagnostics and genomic surveillance capacity in Guinea's laboratory network, highlights the need to strengthen surveillance systems for early detection of emerging viral infections, and emphasizes the importance of further monitoring dengue circulation dynamics in West Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100777"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human parvovirus B19 infection in dengue patients and potential association with disease progression and clinical outcomes","authors":"Nguyen Minh Nam ,&nbsp;Nguyen Thi Lan Dung ,&nbsp;Nguy Thi Diep ,&nbsp;Le Van Khanh ,&nbsp;Nguyen Thi Thuy Diu ,&nbsp;Ha Van Quang ,&nbsp;Ngo Thu Hang ,&nbsp;Le Van Nam ,&nbsp;Nguyen Linh Toan ,&nbsp;Hoang Van Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Many viruses can present with clinical symptoms resembling dengue fever (DF), including human parvovirus B19 (B19V). Therefore, patients with DF are not often tested for secondary pathogens. The current study aimed to investigate B19V infection and its association with clinical features in dengue patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 230 subjects were recruited for this study, including patients with DF (n = 86), DF with warning signs (DWS, n = 53), and healthy controls (n = 91). Plasma samples were analyzed for B19V using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nested polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The potential association between B19V infection and dengue progression was investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Anti-B19V immunoglobulin M antibodies were detected across all groups: 17.4% in the DF group, 7.5% in the DWS group, and 13.2% in healthy controls. Anti-B19V immunoglobulin G positivity was most prevalent in DF patients (26.7%), followed by healthy controls (22.0%) and DWS patients (20.8%). B19V DNA was identified in 10 of 139 dengue patients (7.2%), but not in healthy controls. The rate of B19V infection was significantly higher in DWS patients than in those with DF, suggesting that B19V infection during dengue may be associated with an increased risk of a more severe form of disease (odds ratio = 4.4, <em>P</em> = 0.043). B19V-positive dengue patients had lower platelet counts compared with B19V-negative patients (<em>P</em> = 0.046), although multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference. In addition, only genotype 1, specifically subgenotype 1A, was detected.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study reports the prevalence of B19V infection in Vietnamese dengue patients and reveals a potential association with dengue progression and clinical features.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100775"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145321258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parechovirus meningitis in infants: report of the first cluster of cases in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Abdulnasir AlOtaibi ,&nbsp;Ruba Alharbi ,&nbsp;Ali A. Rabaan ,&nbsp;Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100772","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parechoviruses (PeVs) are RNA viruses that belong to the <em>Picornaviridae</em> family. PeV-A is known to cause human disease, particularly in neonates and young infants. The symptoms of infection can range from mild febrile and respiratory illnesses to severe sepsis-like conditions and central nervous system (CNS) infections. In 2022, clusters of PeV infections were reported in various parts of the world, prompting public health agencies to issue a health advisory to alert physicians about circulating PeVs causing CNS infections in children. Reports of PeV infections in Gulf Council countries are scarce. We present here the clinical presentation and outcome of PeV CNS infections in a neonate and a young infant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100772"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elimination of Hepatitis B virus transmission in an endemic area in Western Alaska","authors":"Brian J McMahon ,&nbsp;Janet M Johnston ,&nbsp;Lesleigh Kowalski ,&nbsp;Mary Snowball ,&nbsp;Michael G Bruce ,&nbsp;Nathan Furukawa ,&nbsp;Karen Miernyk ,&nbsp;Lisa Townshend-Bulson","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In the US, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is only endemic in western Alaska, where 90% of the population are Alaska Native (AN) peoples; in the 1970s, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in children was the highest in the world. In the 1980s, we screened 53,860 AN peoples for HBV infection, administered HBV vaccine to 43,618 HBV seronegative persons, and initiated universal newborn vaccination. In this study, we examine the impact of this effort 40 years later.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This is a population-based outcome study. We used vaccine and electronic health records to examine rates of newborn vaccination between 2015 and 2019 and changes in HBV incidence rates, as well as the prevalence of HCC in persons under 30 years of age over a 50-year period.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Between 2015 and 2019, approximately 90% of newborns received an HBV birth dose, and over 80% received a second HBV vaccine dose by 18 months of age. Annual incidence of new hepatitis B surface antigen-positive tests among AN peoples ranged from 1.4-2.6 per 100,000, down from 6.2 between 1993 and 1997. No hepatitis B surface antigen-positive or HCC cases have been identified in AN peoples under 20 since 1993.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Mass population-based vaccination of seronegative persons, with continuing universal newborn immunization, halted transmission of HBV in western Alaska.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145321256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Significance, clinical spectrum, and microbiological evaluation of Actinomyces blood stream infections","authors":"Maisa Ali ,&nbsp;Almurtada Razok ,&nbsp;Sreethish Sasi ,&nbsp;Sara Al Balushi ,&nbsp;Emad B. Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Muna Al-Maslamani ,&nbsp;Hamad Abdel Hadi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100769","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100769","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Actinomyces species are Gram-positive anaerobic bacilli that are commensal in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts. Actinomyces blood stream infections (BSIs) are rare but becoming more frequent with advanced diagnostic techniques. The presented study aims to evaluate relevance, clinical and microbiological spectrum of Actinomyces species bacteremia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cohort study was conducted for all reported Actinomyces species BSI between January 2016 to November 2020. Isolates identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and BD PhoenixTM automated systems.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, 37 episodes of Actinomyces BSIs were recorded, most were <em>Actinomyces odontolyticus</em> (40.5%, 15/37). The mean age of patients was 32 years, with females’ preponderance (23/37, 62.2%). Cultures were considered significant in only 48.6% cases (18/37), in which the primary source of infection was attributed to oropharyngeal origin (40%) with excellent activity for amoxicillin and ceftriaxone but poor susceptibility to aminoglycosides and quinolines. Of those who received antimicrobials (87.5%, 28/32), shorter duration of therapy (&lt;2 weeks) did not result in long-term consequences with 86.5% 1-year survival rate.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Nearly half of the cases were deemed clinically insignificant and responded well to short courses of antimicrobial therapy without long-term consequences. Penicillin and cephalosporins demonstrated superior activity compared to aminoglycosides and quinolones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100769"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145321260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of an e-Bug–based antimicrobial resistance education intervention: A prospective quasi-experimental study among Grade 12 students in Mogadishu, Somalia","authors":"Shafie Abdulkadir Hassan ,&nbsp;Maryan Jamal Isak ,&nbsp;Abdullahi Mohamed Osman ,&nbsp;Yonis Mohamud Hassan ,&nbsp;Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed ,&nbsp;Sara Ali Mire ,&nbsp;Kassim Abdi Jimale ,&nbsp;Abdifetah Ibrahim Omar ,&nbsp;Nur Rashid Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a severe global health threat, with a disproportionate impact on low-income countries like Somalia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the e-Bug educational module in improving knowledge and understanding of AMR among secondary school students in Mogadishu, Somalia, a setting with limited public awareness and a high burden of infectious diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted among 384 Form four (Grade 12) students in Mogadishu. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of microbiology, hygiene, and AMR before and after the implementation of the e-Bug educational module. The intervention consisted of standardized, interactive lessons on AMR, hygiene, and infection prevention. Changes in knowledge were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the McNemar-Bowker test was used to determine the statistical significance of the change in responses from pre-test to post-test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants were predominantly male (54.2%), with most aged 16-18 years (51.6%). Baseline data revealed strong knowledge of general hygiene, such as handwashing (93.5%), but notable misunderstandings regarding AMR. Notably, 61.5% of students incorrectly believed antibiotics are effective against viral infections like influenza. Following the e-Bug intervention, a statistically significant improvement in overall AMR knowledge was observed (<em>P</em> = 0.003). Post-test results showed enhanced understanding of key AMR concepts, including a 9.6% increase (from 84.4% to 94.0%) in the awareness that antibiotic misuse drives resistance. However, the misconception that antibiotics treat viral infections remained prevalent (58.3%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The e-Bug educational module is an effective tool for improving AMR knowledge among secondary school students in Mogadishu. However, the persistence of critical misconceptions, particularly regarding the use of antibiotics for viral illnesses, highlights the need for sustained and reinforced educational efforts. Integrating the e-Bug module into the national curriculum and developing targeted public health campaigns are recommended to address these deep-seated misunderstandings and combat the growing threat of AMR in Somalia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"17 ","pages":"Article 100771"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145321259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}