Abstract
IntroductionWe aimed to examine the characteristics of antibiotic awareness campaigns (AAC) conducted on a national or regional level since 2010.MethodsIn October 2016, the WHO invited stakeholders involved in the planning or conduct of AACs to answer a web questionnaire. We solicited general information about the characteristics of the AAC, with a particular focus on key messages supporting optimal use of antibiotics.ResultsStakeholders in 93 countries were contacted and 55 countries responded. Overall, 60 AACs from 16 low/middle-income countries (LMIC) and 31 high-income countries were identified. Forty-five campaigns (75%) were conducted on a national level and most of them (47/60; 78%) were organised by public health authorities and publicly funded. There were no major differences between LMICs and high-income countries in the types of key messages. The scientifically questionable ‘Finish your prescription’ slogan was used by 31 AACs (52%). A One Health approach was mentioned in 13/60 AACs (22%). Most messages were universally applicable; adaptation to locally prevalent public misconceptions was not systematic. The evaluation of the impact of campaigns was still incomplete, as only 18 AACs (30%) assessed their impact on antibiotic use.ConclusionFor future AACs, it seems essential to base messages more rigorously on scientific evidence, context specificities and behavioural change theory. A new generation of messages that encourage first-choice use of narrow spectrum antibiotics is needed, reflecting international efforts to preserve broad spectrum antibiotic classes. Evaluation of the impact of AACs remains suboptimal.
Funder
World Health Organization
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Health Policy
Reference59 articles.
1. General Assembly of the United Nations, . 71st session, high-level meeting on Antimicrobial resistance, 2016. Available: http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/ga11825.doc.htm [Accessed 3 Aug 2017].
2. World Health Organization . Global action plan on Antimicrobial resistance, 2015. Available: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/193736/1/9789241509763_eng.pdf
3. Understanding the mechanisms and drivers of antimicrobial resistance
4. Davey P , Marwick CA , Scott CL , et al . Interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing practices for hospital inpatients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017;2:CD003543.doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003543.pub4
5. Antimicrobial Stewardship in Outpatient Settings: A Systematic Review