Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Post-Soviet Countries: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Global Health Security
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health challenge.
• Effective AMR surveillance is essential for control and intervention strategies.
• Limited AMR surveillance data from former Soviet regions creates knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review AMR surveillance efforts and National Action Plans (NAPs) in former Soviet countries.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses in existing AMR surveillance systems within these nations.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CyberLeninka) and official sources.
• Included 30 publications on AMR surveillance and NAPs.

Main Results:

• 14 out of 15 countries have or are developing NAPs; 7 have standardized surveillance systems.
• Most countries have reference labs, but only 60% use standard testing methods across all sites.
• Full quality assessment implementation is low (20%); Central and Western Asian countries show less developed surveillance.

Conclusions:

• AMR surveillance is present in all reviewed former Soviet countries, albeit at varying levels.
• Findings highlight progress and areas for improvement in AMR surveillance and governance.
• Further engagement is needed, particularly in Central and Western Asia, to strengthen AMR control efforts.