Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance through Culture and Community: A One Health Study in Lakewood

Norhanie Macarao; Charly Bongabong; Ivy Amante; Sheila Magolama; Bryan Bitantos

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.330

Authors

Norhanie Macarao Mindanao State University-Buug https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1263-3011
Charly Bongabong Mindanao State University - Buug https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7546-7922
Ivy Amante Mindanao State University - Buug https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6147-9290
Sheila Magolama Mindanao State University - Buug https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6241-7854
Bryan Bitantos Mindanao State University - Buug https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1519-5392

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.330

Keywords:

antimicrobial resistance, sociocultural beliefs, health-seeking behavior, One Health, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not only a biomedical challenge but also a sociocultural issue influenced by community beliefs, practices, and health-seeking behaviors. This study explored the sociocultural dimensions of AMR in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, by comparing communities near and far from the lake using the One Health framework. Employing a descriptive–quantitative design, structured questionnaires and guided interviews were administered to 100 randomly selected residents of Barangays Poblacion and Bag-ong Kahayag. Results revealed that while respondents demonstrated a generally high level of knowledge on antimicrobials, misconceptions persisted, particularly regarding antibiotic use for viral infections and the completion of prescribed treatments. Cultural beliefs, such as reliance on herbal remedies, faith healing, and gender-influenced decision-making, were found to significantly shape antibiotic use, with stronger cultural beliefs recorded among residents living farther from the lake (p = 0.0003). Health-seeking behaviors reflected a mix of traditional and modern practices, as respondents reported both consulting physicians and resorting to herbal medicine or faith healers. The findings underscore that knowledge alone is insufficient to ensure rational antibiotic use; cultural norms and practices remain powerful determinants of AMR-related behaviors. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive health education, stricter policy enforcement on antibiotic access, and community engagement through a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. By situating AMR within a sociocultural lens, this research contributes to the broader discourse on how cultural practices and community dynamics shape health outcomes in the Philippine context.

References

[1] American Veterinary Medical Association. (2008, July 15). One Health: A new professional imperative. AVMA. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports/one-health-new-professional-imperative

[2] Ancillotti, M. (2021). Antibiotic resistance: A multimethod investigation of individual responsibility and behaviour. Uppsala University Publications. https://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1520759/FULLTEXT01.pdf

[3] Bengtsson-Palme, J., Kristiansson, E., & Larsson, D. G. J. (2017). Environmental factors influencing the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 42(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fux053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fux053

[4] Böhm, R., Holtmann‐Klenner, C., Korn, L., Santana, A. P., & Betsch, C. (2022). Behavioral determinants of antibiotic resistance: The role of social information. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12345 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12345

[5] Chowdhury, P. R., McKinnon, J., Liu, M., & Djordjevic, S. P. (2022). Antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture: A review of integrated approaches to tackle a global health problem. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 1012948. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1012948

[6] Chowdhury, S., Rheman, S., Debnath, N., Delamare-Deboutteville, J., Akhtar, Z., Ghosh, S., Parveen, S., Islam, K., Islam, M. A., Rashid, M. M., & Khan, Z. H. (2022). Antibiotics usage practices in aquaculture in Bangladesh and their associated factors. One Health, 15, 100445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100445

[7] Environment, U. N. (2020, September 17). Antimicrobial resistance: A global threat. UNEP - UN Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/topics/chemicals-and-pollution-action/pollution-and-health/antimicrobial-resistance-global-threat

[8] Furuya, E. Y., & Lowy, F. D. (2006). Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the community setting. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 4(1), 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1325 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1325

[9] Haenssgen, M. J., & Xayavong, T. (2020). Cultural perceptions of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance in rural Laos. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-0684-1

[10] Harbarth, S., & Monnet, D. L. (2008). Cultural and socioeconomic determinants of antibiotic use. In I. M. Gould & J. W. van der Meer (Eds.), Antibiotic policies: Fighting resistance (pp. 29–40). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70841-6_3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70841-6_3

[11] Hoa, P. T. P., Managaki, S., Nakada, N., Takada, H., Shimizu, A., Anh, D. H., & Viet, P. H. (2011). Antibiotic contamination and occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments of northern Vietnam. Science of the Total Environment, 409(15), 2894–2901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.030

[12] Larsson, D. G. J., & Flach, C.-F. (2021). Antibiotic resistance in the environment. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20(5), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-021-00649-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-021-00649-x

[13] Laxminarayan, R., Matsoso, P., Pant, S., Brower, C., Rottingen, J. A., Klugman, K., & Davies, S. (2020). Access to effective antimicrobials: A worldwide challenge. The Lancet, 387(10014), 168–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00474-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00474-2

[14] Minssen, T., Outterson, K., & Price, W. N. (2020). From innovation to implementation: A One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance. Nature Communications, 11, 5382. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19097-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19097-x

[15] O’Neill, J. (2016). Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: Final report and recommendations. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. https://amr-review.org/Publications.html

[16] Papadimou, G., Dimitriadi, D., & Kourkouta, L. (2022). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antibiotic use among primary healthcare patients: A systematic review. Cureus, 14(5), e24719. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.24719 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.24719

[17] Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2015). 2015 Family income and expenditure survey. https://psa.gov.ph

[18] Prestinaci, F., Pezzotti, P., & Pantosti, A. (2015). Antimicrobial resistance: A global multifaceted phenomenon. Pathogens and Global Health, 109(7), 309–318. https://doi.org/10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000030

[19] Rahman, M., Chadag, V. M., & Chowdhury, F. (2022). Antibiotics usage practices in aquaculture in Bangladesh and their associated factors. One Health, 15, 100445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100445 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100445

[20] Reygaert, W. C. (2018). An overview of the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of bacteria. AIMS Microbiology, 4(3), 482–501. https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2018.3.482 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2018.3.482

[21] Sicat, A. B., & David, R. M. (2019). Academic procrastination among Filipino university students: A sociocultural perspective. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 75–94.

[22] Touboul-Lundgren, P., Jensen, S., Drai, J., & Lindbæk, M. (2015). Identification of cultural determinants of antibiotic use cited in primary care in Europe: A mixed research synthesis study of integrated design “Culture is all around us.” BMC Public Health, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2254-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2254-8

[23] Vedadhir, A., Rodrigues, C., & Sadeghi, R. (2020). Antimicrobial resistance: A sociological view. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 20(3), 303–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30057-4

[24] Velázquez-Meza, M. E., Galarde-López, M., Carrillo-Quiróz, B., & Alpuche-Aranda, C. (2022). Antimicrobial resistance: A One Health perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 3820. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.743-749

[25] World Health Organization. (2019, April 29). New report calls for urgent action to avert antimicrobial resistance crisis. WHO. https://www.who.int/news/item/29-04-2019-new-report-calls-for-urgent-action-to-avert-antimicrobial-resistance-crisis

[26] World Bank. (2017). Drug-resistant infections: A threat to our economic future. World Bank Group. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/323311493396993758/drug-resistant-infections-a-threat-to-our-economic-future