How Kenyan Schoolchildren Are Becoming Champions for Responsible Antibiotic Use

31.03.2026

In Busia County, western Kenya, a group of primary school pupils is helping bring awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) into classrooms, homes, and communities.

Through the Maarifa Kids 2.0 Project, more than 200 children aged 7 to 14 from Otiiri and Lupida primary schools have been learning about responsible antibiotic use, hygiene practices and healthy behaviours. The project was implemented by Maarifa Kids Kenya in partnership with ACE Africa and supported by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC).

Knowledge Improvement

A baseline (pre-evaluation) survey was conducted among children in both schools to assess their initial knowledge levels. After three months of intervention, a post-evaluation survey was carried out to evaluate knowledge improvement.

The results show that the children understood the concept of AMR much better after the programme than before. On average, their scores increased from 4.78 to 6.41 out of 8, which is a noticeable improvement. Most children also moved from a score of 5 to 7, showing a clear overall gain in understanding.

Key areas of improved understanding were;how germs spread, proper handwashing, how to use antibiotics correctly, and what causes antibiotic resistance.

Overall, this showed that the programme successfully helped learners better understand hygiene and responsible antibiotic use.

Learning Through the Child-to-Child Approach

At the heart of the initiative is the Child-to-Child (CtC) methodology, an approach that encourages children to share knowledge and influence positive behaviours among their peers.

Through CtC clubs, pupils learn about antimicrobial resistance and then communicate those messages through creative activities such as songs, skits and poems performed during school gatherings. Older pupils serve as peer champions, helping guide younger students and reinforcing key messages such as taking medicines only as prescribed by a health professional.

Turning Lessons Into Action

Beyond classroom discussions, the project focuses on practical activities that help children connect AMR concepts with everyday life.

Students established kitchen gardens where they learned about the relationship between agriculture and antimicrobial use. They also practiced making organic compost, reinforcing the importance of sustainable farming practices.

Hand hygiene was another major focus of the program. Pupils constructed tippy taps which are simple handwashing stations made from locally available materials and placed them around the school to encourage regular handwashing with soap and water. To make the practice memorable, the students even created songs demonstrating the five steps of proper handwashing.

A Ripple Effect in Homes and Communities

One of the most encouraging outcomes of the project was how quickly the lessons spread beyond the school gates. During the endline assessment conducted in January 2026, tippy taps were observed at the homes of several CtC club members, suggesting that students had carried the hygiene messages back to their families. Parents, siblings and neighbours were also exposed to AMR awareness through school performances and community interactions.

Students also contributed to maintaining a clean school environment by creating and placing dustbins around the school grounds to promote proper waste management.

Growing Interest Among Students

The enthusiasm for the CtC clubs has been striking. Membership in the clubs grew from about 70 pupils to more than 100 in each school, reflecting strong interest in the program and its activities. This growth suggests significant potential to expand the initiative and reach even more students within the schools.

Children as Agents of Change

The Maarifa Kids 2.0 Project demonstrates that children can grasp complex health issues like antimicrobial resistance when the concepts are presented in engaging and relatable ways.

More importantly, it shows that children can become effective ambassadors for healthier behaviours, sharing what they learn with their peers, families and communities.

As efforts to address antimicrobial resistance continue across Africa, initiatives like this highlight the important role young people can play in building a culture of responsible antibiotic use.