Management of Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Data in Lagos State Health Facilities: A Molecular Informatics Perspective

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance requires the systematic collection, integration, and analysis of microbiological and molecular data from healthcare facilities. In Lagos State, the most densely populated state in Nigeria, AMR data management is fragmented, limiting the ability to generate actionable surveillance intelligence. This study assessed the management of antibiotic resistance surveillance data in ten public health facilities across Lagos, examining both phenotypic resistance data from clinical microbiology laboratories and genotypic data generated from select molecular platforms. A mixed-methods approach combining institutional data audits, key informant interviews with laboratory scientists, and review of laboratory information system (LIS) functionality was employed. Retrospective analysis of resistance data from 2020 to 2024 was performed. Findings revealed significant heterogeneity in data formats, incomplete molecular metadata, and inadequate electronic data capture in 70% of facilities. Only two facilities had functional LIS systems integrated with molecular results. Common resistance gene data including blaNDM, mcr-1, and vanA were not systematically archived. Recommendations include the adoption of standardized WHO-GLASS-compatible molecular AMR data templates, investment in LIS upgrades, and capacity building for molecular epidemiology data management. Keywords: AMR surveillance, molecular data management, laboratory information systems, Lagos, WHO-GLASS.