Innovative intervention of antibiotic use
The irrational use of and consequent bacterial resistance to antimicrobials pose significant public health concerns particularly in low-income countries. In light of this, the ANTRES project has examined antimicrobial use and resistance in healthy children in both urban and rural areas of Bolivia and Peru. Part of the project's efforts included the goal of reducing antimicrobial consumption through education and information regarding antimicrobial therapy. This was established through an intervention campaign which involved the design of the Information-education-communication (IEC) package. The package was created in line with problems of uncontrolled use and resistance which were discovered by conducting household surveys, antimicrobial resistance screening, genotypic analysis and influencing factors during pre-intervention. The package consisted of a multi-layering of activities in three steps: academic detailing, peer network and community intervention. The activities were carried out sequentially for at least 18 months in both Bolivia and Peru. The intervention campaign addressed journalists, teachers, students and families through the use of marionettes, theatre pieces, puppets, radio spots and mass media. Additionally, posters were distributed with messages aimed at self-medication and abidance to treatment.
