MP Journal of Medical Research
Presented at Research Dissemination Conference · All posters from this congress
Infectious DiseasesOpen accessPoster communication · 2026-0031

Economic costing methodologies for drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Edward Masoambeta1✉, Charity Mkwanda1, Edna Ibrahim1, Chantal Morel2, Chikondi Chapuma3, Edsaon Mwinjiwa1, Kenneth Chizani1,3, Chisomo Msefula1, Jobiba Chinkhumba1

  1. 1 Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
  2. 2 University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  3. 3 Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust

Received 14 October 2026 · Accepted 14 October 2026 · Published 14 October 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23371600

Article PDF · Original poster (PDF)

views
19
downloads
15
countries
9

Since publication · journal site and Zenodo archive · robots excluded

Key messages

  1. La majorité des études utilisent une approche micro-costing pour estimer les coûts économiques des infections bactériennes résistantes aux médicaments en pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire.
  2. Les études descriptives sont fréquentes mais ne permettent pas de saisir la complexité complète du fardeau économique lié à la résistance aux antimicrobiens.
  3. Les méthodes basées sur la régression, bien que peu utilisées, pourraient fournir des estimations plus plausibles mais nécessitent des données et ressources importantes.

Abstract

Introduction

Accurate and robust estimates of the economic burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are necessary to develop reliable and actionable policies. Extensive research exists on the clinical burden of AMR in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but comprehensive economic cost estimates are limited partly due to a lack of standard methodologies. The study aims to identify relevant cost variables for economic costing in AMR-related infections and to investigate the level of costing and types of infections widely researched in LMICs.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was conducted including quantitative papers on economic costing methodologies of drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans in LMICs. Data sources included PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane library, and other global databases. Studies were screened and assessed for quality using a modified JBI tool and data extraction was done using a modified Covidence template. Reviews and commentaries were excluded.

Results

The majority of papers used a micro-costing approach, followed by gross costing, with some using both. Most studies analyzed costs descriptively, while fewer used regression-based techniques or propensity score matching. Cost variables were identified at the patient level (direct, non-medical, and indirect costs) and health system level (drug use, hospital stay, personnel, equipment). China had the most papers on general infections, and tuberculosis was the most common infection studied in South Africa. Many papers were of good quality for inclusion.

Conclusion

Most studies in LMIC settings fail to fully capture or quantify the economic burden of AMR. Descriptive statistics are useful but insufficient to account for the complex nature of AMR. Regression-based methodologies, though less commonly used, could provide more plausible estimates but require significant data and resources. Future research should include wide societal costs and detailed healthcare system impacts, and encourage use of more analytical methodologies to triangulate results.

Original poster

Keywords
antimicrobial resistance · economic costing · low- and middle-income countries · drug-resistant bacterial infections
Received
14 October 2026
Accepted
14 October 2026
Published
14 October 2026
Peer review
Single-anonymized review by the Editorial Board · How we review
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23371600
License
© The Authors 2026. Distributed under CC BY 4.0
Journal
MP Journal of Medical Research · ISSN 3144-8402

Related posters

Infectious DiseasesFrom Grassroots to Global: Lessons from the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign 2014-2024J. WallenInfectious DiseasesEnvironmental Factors of Diarrhoea-related Diseases in the Nyong River Plateau of Akonolinga, CameroonT. Tchachue Yebchue, A. Ngono, E. Mvodo M. and 4 othersInfectious DiseasesAssessment of Health Symptoms of Indoor Fungal Exposure in Simulation Laboratories, Preclinical Building, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan MalaysiaS. Karib, H. Yusoff, T. Khaithir and 2 othersInfectious DiseasesDetection of Diverse Microplastic Polymers in Human Breast MilkN. Zainuddin, N. Shamsul, D. Nasri and 3 othersInfectious DiseasesHepatitis A in children: knowledge, attitudes and practices of young Moroccan pediatricians.T. Laadimi, M. Lagrin, R. El Qadiri and 3 othersInfectious DiseasesHigh seroprevalence and factors associated with Hepatitis B virus infection: A snapshot from HIV-1 infected population in Mtwara region, TanzaniaV. Shedura, A. Hussein, G. Mchau and 1 other
Poster (PDF)Cite