- What is the biggest communication challenge related to AMR and inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Africa?
The inadequacy or lack of information on antimicrobials available and used as well as detailed study and publications of the trends of AMR in Africa is the biggest communication challenge related to AMR. This has caused many to people, groups and companies to import and/or use these antimicrobials at will. Subsequently, stakeholders get disinterested in conversations related to AMR since they don’t see the empirical evidence of the claim being made for AMR in their countries and the continent at large. Medical, pharmaceutical, veterinary sectors administer, prescribe or sell antimicrobials but do not provide data on which antimicrobials were against which pathogens or diseases. It is common knowledge that an antimicrobial may be used to treat several pathogens or diseases without even identifying the underlying cause of the disease. This is the foundation cause of the slow progress on winning the war against AMR in Africa.
- 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?
Targeted education using available means including but not limited to the media (both online and print), workshops, flyers, technology (the use of apps) is the best approach to communicate issues on AMR. First, the audience needs to be known as this will influence how to send the AMR message. Targeting the general public is good but a better approach is to target cohorts within the general populace, for example, schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, farmers, industries etc. Having identified these cohorts, the best means of communication like physically delivering an address or using the media or workshops or posters etc can be used in the most preferred language that can be understood by the audience. The use of technology by creating videos, animations, games, posts, competitions serves as a great way to communicating the impact of resistance to medicine, health and food systems.
- 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”?
To begin with, various stakeholders must liaise with different media houses (whether online or print) to talk about health or food related topics and therein make time to talk about AMR during some of these times. Aside from the International Day against AMR, stakeholders within the various African countries must come together under the umbrella of One Health and set aside period to celebrate and educate the masses on AMR. Examples can be cited of situations where antimicrobials were administered but failed to give the needed relief and the public can be called in to join in with their personal experience. This interaction with the public opens room for stakeholders to know the relevant topics to address therefore, educating the public and generally winning the war on AMR.
- What communication channels, methods or mechanisms are more suitable and will have the greatest impact at field level in African countries?
Workshops are the best method of communication at the field level in African countries. Most of these people in the field don’t really have time to use technological gadgets even if they have because of the workload on them. So, getting them to be physically present and educating or training them to have the firsthand experience compared to reading it is the best method.
- 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?
Medical doctors, pharmacist and veterinarians form the stakeholder groups that should be given priority in addressing issues on AMU and AMR. They are the groups who are constantly administering, prescribing or selling antimicrobials. Though they are probably the cause of AMR, they are the same group with the relevant knowledge of AMU, hence, can communicate matters on AMU and AMR with certainty.
- At national, regional and continental levels, who to do think should take leadership and responsibility for awareness and advocacy activities on AMU and AMR
AMU and AMR are not a one sector effort. It is multisectoral! It is therefore important that One Health committees or groups with various focus areas including AMR be set up at all the three levels to champion the cause.
Dr. Yesutor Soku