Elderly residents in care homes in the Greater Accra Region could be emerging as a significant reservoir of multidrug-resistant organisms, raising concerns about the spread of difficult-to-treat infections among vulnerable populations.
A nearly three-year surveillance study involving about 200 people aged 50 years and above has identified a high prevalence of drug-resistant urinary pathogens among elderly residents in selected care facilities.
The study, conducted by scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), highlights the need for stronger antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention measures in elderly care homes.
Presenting the findings at the 2026 Mid-Year Review of the CSIR-WRI in Accra, Assistant Research Scientist at the Institute, Mr Emmanuel Armah, said the situation was particularly concerning for immunocompromised individuals who could be more vulnerable to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
The research, titled “Candida and Bacterial Infections of the Urinary Tract of the Elderly: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship among Residents of Ghanaian Elderly Nursing Care Homes”, examined antimicrobial resistance among elderly Ghanaians living in care facilities.
Mr Armah said early-morning urine samples were collected from participants and subjected to microbial diagnostic tests to identify urinary tract infections.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was subsequently used to investigate the genetic determinants of the pathogens identified, providing scientists with further insight into the nature of the infections and their resistance patterns.
According to him, the findings also brought to the fore concerns surrounding antibiotic misuse, self-medication, poor personal hygiene and nutrition among the elderly.
He cautioned care homes against the routine administration of antibiotics based solely on symptoms without laboratory confirmation of infection.
Mr Armah recommended that antibiotic treatment should, where possible, be guided by microbiological evidence and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to reduce the risk of further resistance.
He also urged caregivers to strengthen hand hygiene practices and other infection prevention measures to limit the transmission of resistant pathogens within care facilities.
The project, supported by the Foundation to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance (PAR), is part of broader efforts by scientists and stakeholders to improve awareness of antimicrobial resistance and reduce its impact on vulnerable groups.
Mr Armah said the researchers were collaborating with relevant stakeholders on education and advocacy programmes aimed at improving understanding of antimicrobial resistance and promoting responsible antibiotic use.
Antimicrobial resistance remains a major global healthcare challenge, as infections caused by resistant organisms can become more difficult and expensive to treat and may result in prolonged illness.
The findings were presented on the third day of the CSIR-WRI Mid-Year Review, chaired by the Institute’s immediate-past Director, Professor Mike Osei-Atweneboana.
The review was held on the theme, “Water-Environment-Food-Health Nexus: Building Resilience for the Future.”
Other studies presented during the review focused on microplastics in aquatic foods and coastal waste in Ghana, as well as sanitation infrastructure, antimicrobial realities and physicochemical quality at the Ashaiman Wastewater Treatment Plant.
