Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study
Abstract Background Good quality data is essential in optimising containment strategies for antimicrobial resistance, a global public health threat estimated to cause around 10 million deaths yearly and up-to 5% loss in GDP by 2050 if left unaddressed. The laboratory system plays an important role i...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01530-9 |
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| author | Obiageli J. Okolie Sanda U. Ismail Uzoma Igwe Emmanuel C. Adukwu |
| author_facet | Obiageli J. Okolie Sanda U. Ismail Uzoma Igwe Emmanuel C. Adukwu |
| author_sort | Obiageli J. Okolie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Good quality data is essential in optimising containment strategies for antimicrobial resistance, a global public health threat estimated to cause around 10 million deaths yearly and up-to 5% loss in GDP by 2050 if left unaddressed. The laboratory system plays an important role in the collection of high-quality data as well as ensuring validity, reliability and timeliness of data. However, in many low-medium income countries including Nigeria, the technical capacity of the laboratory for fulfilling these responsibilities is unknown. This paucity of information limits piloting of strategies to complement existing surveillance and planning improvement of subsequent laboratory iterations into the surveillance system. The focus of this study was to assess the gaps, vulnerabilities and enablers of laboratory strengthening processes in the scope of technical capacity for clinical and public health functions and to provide a roadmap for improved surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study design utilising structured questionnaire administered online via Qualtrics and reported in accordance with strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics as well as bivariate and multivariate logistics to test predictive analysis of relationship between variables. Results A total of 302 laboratories completed the questionnaire, 107 (53.4%) government laboratories and 195 (64.6%) private sector laboratories. 18.2% reported excellent knowledge, 25.5% has excellent capacity, 7.3% are fully ready for surveillance, 12.3% are participating in some surveillance, and 1.0% record important microbiological data that correlates with epidemiological information. Conclusion Tertiary laboratories reported highest performance across all surveillance quality indicators (SQIs). AMR surveillance is skewed toward government and tertiary laboratories, leaving lower-level and rural facilities underutilized despite their potential. This results in missing community-level data and undermines the representativeness of surveillance. The study identifies gaps in recruitment, assessment, and oversight but also offers strategies to address these issues. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0a41d2eadd64ebfaa5202884b6b2543 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2047-2994 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0a41d2eadd64ebfaa5202884b6b25432025-08-20T02:11:42ZengBMCAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control2047-29942025-04-0114111410.1186/s13756-025-01530-9Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative studyObiageli J. Okolie0Sanda U. Ismail1Uzoma Igwe2Emmanuel C. Adukwu3School of Applied Sciences, University of the West EnglandSchool of Health and Social Wellbeing, University of the West EnglandSchool of Applied Sciences, University of the West EnglandSchool of Applied Sciences, University of the West EnglandAbstract Background Good quality data is essential in optimising containment strategies for antimicrobial resistance, a global public health threat estimated to cause around 10 million deaths yearly and up-to 5% loss in GDP by 2050 if left unaddressed. The laboratory system plays an important role in the collection of high-quality data as well as ensuring validity, reliability and timeliness of data. However, in many low-medium income countries including Nigeria, the technical capacity of the laboratory for fulfilling these responsibilities is unknown. This paucity of information limits piloting of strategies to complement existing surveillance and planning improvement of subsequent laboratory iterations into the surveillance system. The focus of this study was to assess the gaps, vulnerabilities and enablers of laboratory strengthening processes in the scope of technical capacity for clinical and public health functions and to provide a roadmap for improved surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study design utilising structured questionnaire administered online via Qualtrics and reported in accordance with strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics as well as bivariate and multivariate logistics to test predictive analysis of relationship between variables. Results A total of 302 laboratories completed the questionnaire, 107 (53.4%) government laboratories and 195 (64.6%) private sector laboratories. 18.2% reported excellent knowledge, 25.5% has excellent capacity, 7.3% are fully ready for surveillance, 12.3% are participating in some surveillance, and 1.0% record important microbiological data that correlates with epidemiological information. Conclusion Tertiary laboratories reported highest performance across all surveillance quality indicators (SQIs). AMR surveillance is skewed toward government and tertiary laboratories, leaving lower-level and rural facilities underutilized despite their potential. This results in missing community-level data and undermines the representativeness of surveillance. The study identifies gaps in recruitment, assessment, and oversight but also offers strategies to address these issues.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01530-9Antimicrobial resistanceLaboratory systemsLaboratory networksAMR surveillanceNigeria |
| spellingShingle | Obiageli J. Okolie Sanda U. Ismail Uzoma Igwe Emmanuel C. Adukwu Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Antimicrobial resistance Laboratory systems Laboratory networks AMR surveillance Nigeria |
| title | Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study |
| title_full | Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study |
| title_fullStr | Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study |
| title_short | Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study |
| title_sort | assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in nigeria a quantitative study |
| topic | Antimicrobial resistance Laboratory systems Laboratory networks AMR surveillance Nigeria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01530-9 |
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