AntiMicrobial Resistance Program – Tunisia (Associa-Med)

Name of the activity: AntiMicrobial Resistance Program

Country/NMO: Tunisia (Associa-Med)

Program: Communicable Diseases

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Education

Focus area:

Reduce incidence of Antimicrobial Resistance

Problem statement:

In Tunisia, AMR can kill as bacterial and viral strains of Gram-negative bacteira (Klebsiell 48.4% and E. Coli 17.4% are on top of the list !! – based on the survey presented on the National Congress about AMR in Tunisia held last thursday) are growing more and more resistant to available medicine. The revealing mode of AMR is basically endemic, however it turns to be epidemic in ICU, neonatology and surgery departments in Tunisia.

Nowadays, auto-medication and over-the counter medication is a serious issue. In fact, antibiotics are perceived as a ”magic-potion” : people have access to antibiotics easily without medical prescription; they found it a shortcut to heal their illnesses without paying for extra practitioner’s fees ignoring the fact thet may NOT need antibiotics for viral infections.
So far, pharmaceutical laboratories have declared that they are not ready to invest in researching new molecules because it is limited and highly expensive.

Bringing the ‘One Health’ to a national level, we have collaborated with other students’ organizations who share our concern in order to have a better impact on our society.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Target Group:
– Students (Medical, dental, veterinary and pharmacy students)
– Health Professionals.
– Media.
– General Public.

Beneficiaries:
– Medical Students.
– Ministry of Health.
– General Public.
– Tunisia.

Objectives and indicators of success:

1. To educate medical students and the general public on the mechanisms, epidemiology, and impact of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

2. To educate medical students and other health professionals on the relationship between veterinary practices, the food chain and AMR in human communicable diseases.

3. To equip medical students with the tools to critically examine antimicrobial strategies locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and advocate for changes to antimicrobial stewardship practices that increase AMR. (by organizing a PHLT on AMR)

Outcome 1: Improved knowledge and empowered medical and other health related students on AMR.
Indicators
Number of educational activities on topics of the program on local and national levels
Target group: Medical students, other healthcare students, general public.

Outcome 2: Medical student involvement in developing and implementing programming on AMR that is student lead or that works with NGOs or GOs
Indicator: Involvement in programming
Target group: Medical students, Governmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations
Threshold: Active engagement of medical students in program implementation

Methodology:

Inspired from the WHO process:
Step 1 – Build it : Create a national action program on AMR (by collaborating with the Ministry of Health)
Step 2 – Teach it : raising awareness campaigns, training and education.
Step 3 – Check it : Monitoring and feedback
Step 4 – Sell it : Reminders and communications
Step 5 – Live it : culture change and behavioural change

Plans for evaluation:

Feedback after each campaign/training.
Evaluation forms, follow-up questions.