In an effort to educate the public on the dangers of antimicrobial resistance, the Alliance Against Antimicrobial Resistance (also known as Triple A) and Youth Against Antimicrobial Misuse (YAAIM) have launched an infographic campaign. In a statement that was made public recently, the organisation disclosed that the aforementioned infographics had already been published in 50 different African languages. These languages include Pidgin English as well as Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa, which are the three most widely spoken languages in Nigeria.
Antimicrobial resistance is the inability of a microorganism, like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or even some parasites, to be killed by an antimicrobial medication to which they were previously susceptible. As a consequence of this, antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, become less powerful, and the treatment of infections becomes more challenging. Misuse of these medications is the primary factor of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which, according to the organisation, has the propensity to not only lead to 10 million annual deaths by 2050 but can also drive 28.3 million individuals into poverty.
The AMR poses a danger to general public health if not prevented.
According to the organisation’s statement, AMR is a One Health problem that requires cooperation between human, animal, and environmental health fields. Evidence from studies shows that the general public is unaware of the dangers posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the importance of using medicines cautiously. Geographic, societal and disciplinary differences all contribute to making AMR terminology difficult to understand and interpret. So, populations are misguided and left with widespread misconceptions and beliefs around the use of antibiotics because there are no simple, precise, and understandable AMR messages.
Therefore, evidence-based antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concepts were developed into a one-page infographic publication by the Alliance Against Antimicrobial Resistance (Triple-A) team led by Yusuf Babatunde as well as Naomi Chikezie in collaboration with the Ducit Blue Foundation headed by Pharmacist Estelle Mbadiwe on the Youth Against Antimicrobial Misuse (YAAM) project. The one-pager included a brief, understandable explanation of AMR, along with recommendations for what readers can do locally to reduce the spread of infection and make better use of antibiotics. To translate the one-page infographic to more than 50 local languages, they solicited contributions from young people across Africa.
An unambiguous AMR message would help Underdeveloped communities.
They seek to ensure that the global fight against antimicrobial resistance is targeted to specific African populations so that the appropriate action can be taken by giving simple, unambiguous, proof, interpreted, and clear AMR messages. These AMR messages were translated and then broadcast directly to underprivileged communities in Nigeria. Their AMR advocates journeyed to marketplaces, farms, schools, and bus stops in three different Nigerian states (Borno, Kwara and Oyo State) to disseminate these messages and worked hard to ensure that their essential points were conveyed.
Furthermore, the success of this initiative led to its replication in Senegal, Kenya, and Uganda. Additionally, an extensive social media campaign on Twitter, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, and Instagram featuring the translated infographics was run for three days on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the site’s stats, over 800 visitors from 38 different countries have seen the translated infographics. There have been a total of 254 downloads of the infographics for use in local campaigns around the world. In addition, across Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and WhatsApp, social media has approximately 74,000 impressions. More than 3,000 individuals were reached through the various locations of the state-level awareness activities.
Education and awareness would change people’s behavior towards AMR.
Engagement of communities has the capacity to involve communities in the creation of locally relevant solutions, which is especially important in LMICs. It’s also a helpful tool for promoting behavior change related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, it’s essential to get people involved in AMR awareness and education in order to change their behavior. We’re certain that their initiative will help kick off productive discussions on antimicrobial resistance in the broader community. As part of the celebrations for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, South Centre funded this initiative.
Related Link
WHO: Website
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