Systems Policy Analysis for Antimicrobial Resistance Targeted Action (SPAARTA): A Research Protocol

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Policy
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Most countries (88%) have Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) National Action Plans (NAPs), yet implementation and funding remain significant challenges.
• Systemic factors at the national level can impede or accelerate AMR intervention success, necessitating a broader perspective beyond AMR alone.
• Effective intervention selection requires systematic approaches to explain and predict progress in combating AMR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide innovative policy analysis for country comparison and refine targeted actions for AMR.
• To support the development and implementation of improved National Action Plans (NAPs V.2.0).
• To identify and analyze systemic factors influencing AMR intervention effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method, multi-country case study involving 17 countries across WHO regions and emerging economies.
• Textual analysis of peer-reviewed literature and policy documents (2000-2024), supplemented by longitudinal quantitative analysis of Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and AMR outcomes using econometrics and machine learning.
• Development of an interactive Tableau dashboard for visualizing and comparing country-level AMR intervention contexts and components.

Main Results:

• The study protocol establishes a systematic and transparent framework for countries to benchmark their AMR strategies.
• An interactive dashboard will enable comparisons between country clusters (by geography or economy) and facilitate knowledge mobilization.
• This approach allows for the identification of key determinants and outcomes related to AMR interventions.

Conclusions:

• This protocol facilitates a structured assessment of national AMR strategies, enabling countries to benchmark their progress.
• The interactive dashboard promotes rapid knowledge sharing among policymakers and planners for improved strategic decision-making.
• The methodology supports the nomination of countries for future analysis waves, fostering continuous improvement in global AMR action plans.