What is the biggest communication challenge related to AMR and inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Africa?
The biggest communication challenge has been the lack of interest by most stakeholders in this area. On the level of farmers, they are interested in their profit margin and any thing they will do to protect that is wellcome. We have seen that in many areas of agricultural practices from chemical usage to the misuse of antibiotics. From farming to fishing despite the education. We could not ignore the effect of poverty in all this. Ignorance is also barrier to communication as most farmers have little knowledge of the effect of usage on the lives of consumers as they haven't seen or experienced any person who have suffered such. The area of health promotion and agriculture extention is another barrier as we see or hear very little of such communication in our media or extension worker circles. Very few civil society groups are advocating on such in africa basically because of lack of funding as most Civil society groups are not funded by state and therefore could only shift their attention on issues they could secure funding.
What is the best approach to communicate about other antimicrobials (antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, pesticides), and not only antibiotics? As viruses, fungi and parasites can also be resistant to medicines commonly used to treat them, and impacting health and food systems, how do we communicate about these issues in addition to antibiotic resistant bacteria?
The issues most be communicated following all forms of social marketing skills. The inclusion of such matter in basic and second cycle school curicular will bring the needed attention to the growing youth who invariably will be a mouth piece in their communities. Broader stakeholder engagement are needed here considering the nature of the subject and its multiple causality. Stakeholder mapping and development of a national framework for action on this issue and its communication is of neccesity.
How can we get the topic of AMR included more often in the media? How do we ensure the visibility of AMR amongst other “hot topics”?
We could get the topic included often in the media when CSO are engaged to wage a media campiagn and advocacy on the subject. Observing the celebration of AMR day and supporting community, district, regional forums on the subject. Active health promotion of the subject would also be of essence
What communication channels, methods or mechanisms are more suitable and will have the greatest impact at field level in African countries?
The use of the electronic media most especially the radio and television, community radios, engaging churches, the use of organisations with community volunteers for house to house campaigns woud be a good initiative. Red cross for example in the past in Ghana have help in many of such leads in addressing guinea worm eradication, maternal and child health and many others and they could be of valuable service.
Which group of stakeholders do you think should be considered as priority for targeted key messages aiming at raising awareness on excessive AMU and AMR?
Farmers, both animal and crop, community leadership, educational service, the health promotion sector, civil society groups and policy makers
At national, regional and continental levels, who to do think should take leadership and responsibility for awareness and advocacy activities on AMU and AMR
If there are nutrition councils or commission in various nations they could be the best to lead this however, the three sectors which are most effected could lead the process. Health, Agriculture could play a lead role.
Dr. Kingsley Pereko