Background: In 2017, Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) and the University of South Carolina (UofSC) agreed to collaboratively strengthen antimicrobial prescribing in the southern highlands of Tanzania and train a new generation of clinicians in responsible antimicrobial use. Methods: Key stakeholders and participants were identified and the Mbeya Antimicrobial Stewardship Team (MAST) was created. The team identified assets brought by the collaborators, and four investigations of baseline needs were developed. These investigations included (a) a baseline clinician survey regarding antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, (b) a serial chart review of inpatient antimicrobial prescribing practices, (c) an investigation of antimicrobial resistance rates using existing isolates at the MZRH laboratory, and (d) a survey of antimicrobial availability at community pharmacies in the city. Results: 91% of physicians believe antimicrobial resistance is problem in Tanzania, although only 29% of physicians were familiar with the term "antimicrobial stewardship". Escherichia coli isolates had resistance rates of over 60% to the commonly used agents ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ceftriaxone. Thirteen out of 14 community pharmacies offered over-the-counter antibiotics for upper respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: International antimicrobial stewardship collaborations can successfully identify opportunities and needs. Evaluating the team's efforts to improve patient outcomes will be essential.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa, and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have not been widely implemented in this region. We evaluated antibiotic prescribing patterns and concordance with national guidelines at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) in Tanzania. Adult inpatient medical records were chronologically reviewed from January 1, 2018 until 100 records documenting antibiotic therapy were evaluated. The primary endpoint was concordance with national guidelines for indication-based antibiotic selection and duration. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Overall, 155 records with sufficient data were reviewed. The 100 records which involved antibiotic therapy represented 171 unique antibiotic courses. The most common indication for antibiotics was bacterial pneumonia. Ceftriaxone and metronidazole, the most commonly used antibiotics, were administered in 40% and 24% of courses, respectively. Indication-based antibiotic selection was concordant with national guidelines in 63% of courses, but this fell to 15% when course duration was taken into account. Antibiotic courses were completed as prescribed 28% of the time among evaluable courses. A microbiologic culture of any kind was obtained in 17% of patients. In conclusion, antibiotic therapy was often incomplete, was generally guideline discordant, exhibited limited diversity of selection, and frequently lacked diagnostic confirmation. These data, combined with local susceptibility patterns, may be used to foster AMS efforts for improved compliance with guidelines at MZRH in the future.

Changing at-risk populations and treatments are reshaping screening and management. Which regimens are best and what factors influence treatment choices?

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of a short‐term training program in emergency ultrasound on physician skills and attitudes in southwestern Tanzania.MethodsEight registrar physicians at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (Mbeya, Tanzania) underwent a 5‐day course in bedside emergency ultrasound, focusing primarily on the focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination, including didactic sessions, practical sessions, and on‐job training. The impact on ultrasound knowledge was assessed by pretest and posttest evaluations. Provider skill was evaluated by a standardized observed simulated patient encounter. Attitudes toward ultrasound training, utility, and self‐confidence were assessed by a post‐training questionnaire.ResultsAll 8 physicians who began the training completed the course and successfully passed their objective structured clinical examination. There was a statistically significant improvement in written ultrasound test scores from 31% to 66% (P < .01) after the course. Most trainees felt confident performing and interpreting a basic focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination at the end of the course, and 7 of 8 stated that they would consider paying tuition for similar courses in the future. Main concerns with the course revolved around insufficient time dedicated to practicing under supervision.ConclusionsRegistrar physicians in Tanzania can effectively learn basic emergency ultrasound skills in a short‐term training program. Similar future programs may consider heavier emphasis on practical hands‐on training with experts. Ongoing data collection is required to understand the true impact of such training on long‐term ultrasound use and patient outcomes.