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A mobile app is helping Nigerian doctors make the best prescription decisions.

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics contribute to the global issue of antimicrobial resistance. 20-50% of surgical antibiotic prescription in Nigeria is thought to be non-compliant with prescribing guidance published by the World Health Organisation. 

Working in partnership with three hospitals in Nigeria, the GADSA (Gamified Antimicrobial Stewardship Mobile Decision Support App) project explored barriers to compliant prescribing for elective surgeries and the preliminary impact of a gamified smartphone app on prescribing behaviour change and compliance with guidance. 

The group co-designed the app through focus group discussions with local surgeons. In-app feedback on prescription decisions is provided by an interactive ‘mentor’ and badges are awarded for compliant decisions and interaction with the app. The app is currently being piloted across the three sites but early data shows a positive impact. 

The project was led by Dr Patty Kostkova with an interdisciplinary team from the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute for Health Informatics, Public Health England and colleagues at Lagos University. 

Related links:

• ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction
• ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Institute for Health Informatics