The threat of Antimicrobial Resistance in Developing Countries: Causes and Control Strategies
The causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in developing countries are complex and may be rooted in practicesof health care professionals and patients’ behavior towards the use of antimicrobials as well as supply chains ofantimicrobials in the population. Some of these factors may include inappropriate prescription practices, inadequatepatient education, limited diagnostic facilities, unauthorized sale of antimicrobials, lack of appropriate functioningdrug regulatory mechanisms, and non-human use of antimicrobials such as in animal production. Considering thatthese factors in developing countries may vary from those in developed countries, intervention efforts in developingcountries need to address the context and focus on the root causes specific to this part of the world. Here, we describethese health-seeking behaviors that lead to the threat of AMR and healthcare practices that drive the developmentof AMR in developing countries and we discuss alternatives for disease prevention as well as other treatment optionsworth exploring.Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Causes and Control Strategies