Lecturers at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FK-UB) conducted screening for early detection of the transmission risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in two villages in Pakisaji District, Malang Regency, namely Kendalpayak Village, Thursday (14/09/2023), and Karangduren Village, Saturday (23/ 09/2023).
This community service aims to obtain prevalence data, as well as risk factors for carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the community in these two villages. The activities carried out include screening for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and education about the dangers of antibiotic resistance, as well as efforts to prevent it.
The Chief Executive, Dr. Dewi Santosaningsih, M.Kes, Sp.MK(K), Ph.D explained that antimicrobial resistance is recognized as a public health problem throughout the world. The impact of antimicrobial resistance is increased morbidity, mortality and treatment costs both in hospitals and in the community.
The spread of antimicrobial resistance in the community can originate from irrational use of antimicrobials and contact transmission from individuals colonized by antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and ESBL-producing bacteria (carriers).
“Colonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a risk factor for infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the prevalence and risk factors for carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the two villages supported by FK-UB are not yet known. “In fact, this data is very important as a basis for making efforts to prevent the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the community,” explained Dewi Santosaningsih.
Screening for antibiotic-resistant bacteria is carried out using a nasal cavity swab and palm swab. Education was carried out using small group discussions and interactive discussions targeting community representatives and health cadres in each hamlet in Karangduren Village and Kendalpayak Village.
The educational material includes the introduction of antibiotic drugs and their use, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and how to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In its implementation, dr. Dewi Santosaningsih was assisted by a research team of lecturers consisting of dr. Yuanita Mulyastuti, Msi, dr. Siwipeni Irmawanti Rahayu, SpMK, Mbiomed, dr. Etty Fitria Ruliatna, SpMK(K), as well as students from PDS Clinical Microbiology Study Program and the Bachelor of Medicine Study Program.
This activity was attended by 47 participants in Kendalpayak Village, and 50 participants in Karangduren Village. The health cadres involved in this activity were 10 people from each assisted village. Each Village Head was also present to open this activity, namely the Head of Kendalpayak Village, Mr. Samsul Huda and the Head of Karangduren Village, Mr. Sihabul Romli. [DS/Irene/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
