P23 Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards antimicrobial use and resistance among students in three secondary schools in Dodoma City

Abstract

Introduction Antimicrobial resistance is still not given enough attention and the public is insufficiently aware of its existence, leading to behaviour, which propagates the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). One of the objectives of Tanzania's national action plan on antimicrobial resistance is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial use and resistance through effective communication, education and training. This task will need involvement of many stakeholders and sectors. Objectives To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward antimicrobial use and resistance among students in three secondary schools in Dodoma city. Methods For this interventional pre-post comparative study, data were collected before and after training on antimicrobial use and resistance. Secondary school students from Mkonze, Merriwa and Kiwanja cha Ndege secondary school who are members of AMR school clubs participated. Training included classroom teaching and arts and crafts. We used quantitative and qualitative data collection methods by using self-administered paper-based structured coded questionnaires delivered to the students with the supervision of school guardians. Analysis was done through Excel and SPSS. Results Three aspects were investigated: awareness of ways to reduce AMR; knowledge that antibiotics cannot be used to treat flu and factors that contribute to AMR. Before the training knowledge of these was below 37%. Three months after the training knowledge had increased to above 90%. Conclusions Training of secondary school students significantly improved awareness, knowledge and attitude regarding antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance. AMR school clubs are an effective vehicle to raise awareness and mitigate the AMR crisis. Focus on students will lead to wider awareness in the community.

Schoolchildren as Agents of Change towards Antimicrobial Resistance

“…The RBA Initiative AMR School Club project has demonstrated how a mix of funbased knowledge and skills transfer and rewarding competitions can change antimicrobial use knowledge and practice in schoolchildren. During the United Nations AMR-Highlevel Interactive Dialogue, the RBA Initiative AMR School Clubs project was cited as an important example of creative, community-focused support [4,6].…”

“…The RBA Initiative uses different strategies to enhance understanding of AMR while encouraging creativity and innovation among the students. Using appropriate language and consideration of the local context, the project employs a variety of innovative activities, including AMR arts and crafts (i.e., songs, drama, traditional dance, drawing and poems), competitions, storytelling and interactive learning as a set of fun activities, integrated with classroom teaching [4].…”

Exploring the Use of Antibiotics for Dental Patients in a Middle-Income Country: Interviews with Clinicians in Two Ghanaian Hospitals

“…This might involve behaviourally informed public awareness campaigns about the futility of antibiotics for toothache and the need to seek early help for dental conditions to avoid the potential danger of inappropriate antibiotic use. However, the impact of patient education through posters and leaflets should be carefully assessed, as they can have unintended consequences [ 36 , 37 ]. Tackling motivational factors such as dentists’ beliefs about the therapeutic and prophylactic benefits versus the risks of adverse outcomes due to antibiotics could also be important.…”