Antimicrobial Resistance in Primary Health Care Setting: The Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Health Centers under the Primary Health Care Corporation PHCC, Qatar

Abstract

Wrong utilization of antimicrobial agents is the greatest cause of developing antibiotics resistance organisms in the human system. Also, hospital acquired infections are known to contribute to illness and death that can arise from the resistance of organisms towards antimicrobials designed to kill these organism. Our study looked at samples (n=1,522) which were confirmed in the laboratory to be resistance to one or more antimicrobials between year 2019-2021. The research team obtained an ethical approval from the ethics committee before the commencement of this research. The data extracted was carefully cleaned and verified by multiple research team members  to ensure accurate data is utilized for the study. The result of this study has revealed a prevalence of (1.35%) with the most implicated organism being the E.coli(87.5%) mostly resistance to the ESBL antibiotics group. Majority of the MDRO cases could be seen in adults between the age of 25 years to 29 years. Moreso, the females had the burden of MDROs when compared to the males visiting the same  medical facilities(Female:87% : Male:13%). With a significance prevalence of organisms’ resistance to one or  more antibiotics group has been found in people receiving care at the PHCC health centers. There is need to evaluate and enhance the existing policies and guidelines surrounding the antibiotic prescription and administration. Additionally, the enhancement of the public health awareness regarding this condition should be intensified to reach the populations from the grassroot to the top. This strategies will give the community a good understanding of the cause and preventative measures against this rising trend and to avert the consequences that come with it.