The Antibiotic Stewardship Programme through Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE)
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The Antibiotic Stewardship Programme through Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE) is a project that aims to optimise antibiotic use in Zambia and Kenya by integrating innovative digital solutions with targeted stewardship interventions. ASPIRE focuses on empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to implement AMS principles effectively, leading to improved patient care and a reduction in antimicrobial resistance. Through targeted research, innovative solutions, comprehensive education, collaborative engagement, and leveraging strategic partnerships, ASPIRE aspires to establish new benchmarks for sustainable antibiotic stewardship in LMICs.
The aim of this initiative is to deepen understanding about antibiotic use patterns, prescribing behaviours and drivers, and their associated challenges in Zambia and Kenya, addressing existing knowledge gaps.
“ASPIRE represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. By integrating digital innovation with targeted interventions, we aim to facilitate a transformative change in how antibiotics are used and managed in these regions.”
Objectives
Guided by these overarching aims, the specific objectives of the project are as follows:
To assess the baseline antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in selected tertiary care hospitals in Zambia and Kenya using Point Prevalence Surveys (PPS).
To evaluate the current adherence to the Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (CEHASPs) in the selected hospitals.
To explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on antibiotic prescribing and use.
To implement ASPs in selected hospitals focusing on the gaps and priority areas identified in the baseline study, including prospective audit and feedback mechanisms.
To test and contextualize persuasive interventions, including the Dutch Unique Method of Antimicrobial Stewardship (DUMAS) Participatory intervention study, as a behavioural approach to antimicrobial prescribing
To develop a digital application for medical doctors using the WHO AWaRe antibiotic and national guidelines to guide evidence-based antibiotic selection, dose, route of administration, and duration of treatment.
To evaluate the post-intervention antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in the selected hospitals.
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the implemented ASPs compared to previous antibiotic usage practices.
To establish Centres of Excellence (COEs) in Zambia and Kenya to serve as hubs for training other institutions in antibiotic stewardship.
Dr. Mike Strange, Head of Global Health at LifeArc. Photo: LifeArc
“Antimicrobial resistance is a truly global challenge, and we need to work together across continents to drive real change. LifeArc is committed to addressing unmet medical needs and we know that antimicrobial resistance disproportionately affects people in low- and middle- income countries. Partnering with ReAct Africa on this important project will not only provide important data to inform development of improved practices in participating hospitals, but also have the potential to create a model which could be used more widely, including in other countries.”
