Integrating Persuasive Educational Intervention in Health Education to reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern with exponentially rising rates of drug-resistant infections. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines effectively, making infections in humans, animals and plants more difficult to treat. This threatens global health security, food safety and security, economic growth, poverty alleviation and the environment. AMR has been described as a silent pandemic, further progressing in the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, AMR was responsible for 1.27 million deaths alone, more than HIV/AIDs and malaria; and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.  It is estimated that by 2050, the number of deaths could reach up to 10 million. AMR is directly impacting the society by high number of patients suffering from resistance, implying more people not contributing to economy, thus increasing economical pressure on the health care system. Due to over-prescription practices among human, veterinary care and agriculture, the environment is getting polluted by all three critical sources that impacts the overall well-being of the people globally. A significant factor contributing to the spread of AMR is lack of knowledge about the use of antibiotics. Studies have found that the use of games show promising results for helping improve students’ knowledge about health and may be used to boost knowledge about AMR. A playful educational support will be developed to make the health problem of bacterial resistance and the action of antibiotics more understandable among young people, who will be leaders in medicine, veterinary science and agriculture in the near future. 

Team: Dr. Vikram P. Singh, Dr. Akwi W. Asombang, Dr. Aslak Steinsbekk