Before starting an awareness raising initiative, it is important to get an understanding of the current situation to provide valuable input to what needs to be done.
Learn from other campaigns
Some questions that can be good to investigate are:
- Are there any ongoing initiatives?
- How have previous initiative been received?
- Have previous initiatives been effective?
- What efforts have been undertaken in other settings that could be applied to your context?
- What level of awareness currently exists?
- What perceptions do people have of the key concepts related to antibiotic resistance?
Measure existing awareness levels
Information about people’s knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding antibiotic use and resistance can be helpful in the planning of behavior change initiatives. It can provide a baseline for later evaluation and also inform on what level to start interventions. For more information, see MEASURE: Knowledge and practices.
Selected Resources
| Resource | Description |
| Building Coalitions for Containing Antimicrobial Resistance: A Guide | Manual and tools that helps stakeholders organize collaborations to address the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The chapter “Understand the local situation” describes tools and strategies for compiling, analyzing, and presenting information about the resistance situation. Provides a number of useful templates and interview guides. An older version also available in Spanish and French. |
| Manual and tools. Provides a theoretical framework, practical suggestions, and a handful of resources for conducting KAP studies for tuberculosis control, which can be useful in developing similar surveys for antibiotic resistance. Published by WHO in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership. | |
|
Antibiotic resistance: Multi-country public awareness survey |
Report and questionnaire. This public awareness survey on the use of antibiotics and knowledge of antibiotic resistance was conducted in 12 countries in 2015, commissioned by the WHO. For inspiration to set up your own public awareness survey, see Annex 1 “full questionnaire” (p. 46 in report. Mix of online and face-to-face interviews). |
|
Antimicrobial Resistance Module for Population-Based Survey (PDF) |
Manual and questionnaire. This module generates household-level information on knowledge and behavior regarding antimicrobial medicines and raises awareness regarding resistance among communities. |
|
Community Toolbox Chapter 3: Assessing Community Needs and Resources |
Information portal providing guidance and tools to identify and assess community concerns, needs, and assets. |