Ogunleye Akinlabi Oladele
Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
University of Ibadan
Nigeria
One of the biggest problems in the communication about AMU and AMR in Africa has to do with difficulties in using African contextualized scientific facts on the subject to successfully educate the stakeholders to the level of achieving the anticipated necessary changes towards attainment of good stewardship. A number of factors such as the level of awareness, knowledge, attitude, emotional undertone behind the current practices and behavioral tendencies associated with the subject are often undermined or sometimes ignored during the attempt to communicate to the stakeholder. One more fundamental challenge has to do with the need for consensus definitions of some important concepts and terms regarding AMR and AMU based on African realities. For example, could the term: prudent/ judicious use of a particular antibiotic mean exactly the same thing in terms of specific details as applicable for example in USA, Europe as well as in Africa? This is open to discussion in our African context. Correct answers to some of these issues will go a long way in helping us to overcome our challenges communicating about AMU and AMR in Africa.
In an attempt to communicate about other antimicrobials (antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral and pesticide), we must take into consideration the complex nature of the subject and approach it with the application of one health concept. Necessary information about them can be communicated based on African contextualized integrated research findings, education on the subjects and extension programmes. And just as mentioned for antibacterial agents, the correct assessment of the prior knowledge, awareness, attitudes, emotional undertone that inform the stakeholders current positions must be given a priority. Connection with the targeted stakeholders this way may help them to accept the new concept and information that may result into the actualization of the desired outcome.
In order to get topics of AMR and AMU more included in the media among hot topics: we must present it to the public as a one health problem that requires multidisciplinary approach to be handled.
Every stakeholder such as Veterinarians, medical doctors, environmentalist, Agriculturist must work together as a team by honestly acknowledging the contribution from their respective sectors to AMU and AMR problems as well as their contribution to the desired solution. The general public and media will be interested in the dissemination of such information.
Communication through extension service team comprising necessary stakeholders well equipped with the required knowledge about AMU and AMR to the targeted stakeholders will be very practicable and effective in the African context.
Based on the one health nature of AMU and AMR the following stakeholders should be targeted as priority group with the key messages about raising awareness on excessive AMU and AMR:
Animal Agriculturists, Veterinarians, medical doctors, environmentalists and general public.
At the national, regional and continental levels: Veterinarians, medical doctors, relevant scientists/ researchers should take leadership and responsibilities for awareness and advocacy activities on AMU and AMR.
Dr. Akinlabi Ogunleye