November marks the annual World AMR Awareness Week, November 18–24, with the theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”
As a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, this year’s theme emphasises the need for united action and the importance of the participation of all levels, from grassroots community to high-level policy makers.
Vietnam is ranked by the World Health Organization as among the countries with the highest rates of antibiotic resistance in the world. The main cause is antibiotic overuse—up to 88% of antibiotics in urban areas are sold without a prescription, and in rural areas, the rate reaches 91%. The situation of self-medication without seeing a doctor, buying medicine based on others’ prescriptions, or following others’ advice is also common and contributes to increasing antibiotic abuse cases.
One highlighted campaign shared by the WHO is sharing real-life stories to encourage global action against antimicrobial resistance. At OUCRU, we have been successfully sharing community-based stories via several communication means to illustrate complex health issues, including AMR, and their tangible impact on daily lives.
Methods that we used to produce community-based media
Animate published AMR research to popularise among young people
A project led by Collab Lab with support from OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement group, Collab Lab’s mission is producing animated videos that summarise published research about rising global health issues to bring research to young people, nurturing their curiosity and interest in science as well as gathering feedback for researchers, to make our research more relevant in daily lives.
AMR has been a cornerstone of Collab Lab’s chosen topics from day 1. Throughout the years, young passionate students have picked a wide range of published AMR research papers from OUCRU and partnered institutes, and made funny explainer videos. Check out the Collab Lab’s AMR playlist here.
Theatre play and community performances are useful means to communicate complex topics like AMR
Direct active engagement is a plus point of science theatre play methods. OUCRU co-wrote and organised several play performances in schools around Vietnam and community performances in Nepal to raise awareness among students and teachers. With the contribution from OUCRU’s scientists and audience, the play tours in both countries ended with positive support and feedback from the young audience.
Comics and videos, powered by the community
Misconceptions about antibiotic use have long been passed down through generations in Indonesia — from believing that antibiotics can treat all illnesses, to using them without prescriptions. These behaviours contribute to the growing global health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Recognising the urgent need for targeted education among young people, PAPRA Indonesia, in collaboration with OUCRU Indonesia and Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Public Hospital (RSCM), initiated an innovative public engagement project to raise awareness about the responsible use of antibiotics.
The initiative, Youth Peer Educators Combat AMR, focuses on empowering school-aged children and youth through creative educational tools and peer-led learning.