The ECDC Antibiotic Awareness

The ECDC Antibiotic Awareness campaign aims to educate the public about the risks of antibiotic resistance and promote responsible use of antibiotics. The campaign utilizes various tools such as e-bug, posters, leaflets, quizzes, crosswords, fact sheets, infographics, videos, and social media. The targets of the campaign include experts, the general public, hospital prescribers, and primary care prescribers. The tools and messages vary according to the targets to effectively communicate the importance of responsible antibiotic use.

The ECDC Antibiotic awareness
Anti-microbial resistance is a great public health concern and tackling it is a
priority to the ECDC. As the resistance increases, the antibiotics become less effective
hence the essence of keeping the public informed of the issue and how they contribute
towards the resistance, thus the ECDC Antibiotic awareness. Antibiotic resistance can
lead to serious health problems, disabilities or even death. The main aim of this
campaign is to encourage people of all population to be prudent with the use of
antibiotics.
Available campaign tools
Finding the best campaign tools can be challenging, however, to ensure the
success of the ECDC Antibiotic awareness, the website has utilized a wide range of
effective campaign tools. The campaign tools are used to engage primary healthcare
practitioners thus promoting responsible use of antibiotics. The first available campaign
tool is e-bug, an educational pack which utilizes games and education resources to
teach about microbes and anti-microbial resistance [1]. It is a valuable and free
resource which is available in 22 languages with sections meant for teachers,
healthcare professionals and students. E-bug is considered by the ECDC because the
available resources are evidence-based and has a range of resources like lesson plans,
peer education resources, debate kits, animations, interactive slides and student
websites, all of which aims at educating the antibiotic users and prescribers to be
responsible so as to reduce anti-microbial resistance. Another campaign tool is the use
of posters and leaflets to grab people’s attention [2]. Posters are used to pass an instant
message as it is always simple and precise while leaflets give more information about

the antibiotic awareness. Additionally, the website utilizes quizzes and crosswords as a
campaign tool through the use of inspirational and interactive content making the
campaign awareness reach new audiences, and heights. Quizzes and crosswords
contain relevant and useful content which successfully build the brand awareness
hence driving the desirable action. Moreover, quizzes and crosswords engage with the
target population and propel them to widely share the content of the awareness
campaign [9]. The website also uses fact sheets that highlight the public health
resources for improving the use of antibiotics in healthcare and home settings. The
factsheets contain educative facts in regards to misuse of antibiotics as well as ways of
prevention. The factsheets basically contain simplified version of the essential
information which positively impacts the behaviors and attitudes of the target population
on the use of antibiotics. The website also uses infographics as a campaign tool.
Infographics entails the incorporation of texts, images and design so as to represent the
complex data which tells a story that needs to be shared [10]. ECDC uses infographics
to provide clear and concise bits of information in an easily understandable and
graphically appealing way. Also, infographics are attractive and compelling and also has
the ability to go viral hence an effective way to communicate and engage with the target
population [7]. ECDC also uses videos as a campaign tool. Videos are strategically
used in this campaign to promote the antibiotic awareness as well as convert the target
population. Videos are also easy to digest, entertaining, with versatile and engaging
content which also gives us a real-life picture of what is going on. Social media is
another campaign tool available for the ECDC awareness campaign. This is because
social media is a very powerful tool when it comes to creating awareness as it

reinforces the goals of the campaign [4]. ECDC uses social media because they are
able to get instant feedback, improve their engagement with the target population as
well as show authenticity of the campaign. Furthermore, social media enables ECDC to
proactively engage the general population by quickly answering and addressing the
concern of the people.
Which are the targets of the campaign
The ECDC Antibiotic awareness campaign targets very many people. First, the
campaign targets the experts because their opinions help in shaping the societal
knowledge on antibiotics resistance. The experts are also targeted because they help
create trust between ECDC and the general public as well as help maintain the trust [1].
The campaign also targets the general public. This is because they are the ones who
use the antibiotic either responsibly or irresponsibly. This campaign is important to the
general public because it will enhance their knowledge on the use of antibiotics thereby
reducing the rates of microbial infections and disabilities. Moreover, the knowledge will
help the general public to take action towards reducing the misuse of antibiotics.
Hospital prescribers are also targeted by this campaign. This is because there is a rise
of antibiotic resistance in hospitals and hence the need to prevent it [6]. The campaign
will therefore help hospital providers with ways to curb this trend within the hospital
settings. Lastly, the campaign targets the primary care prescribers. This is to increase
their knowledge on how to inform their patients about the risks associated with antibiotic
resistance and appropriate use of antibiotics and alternative treatments [3].

How do the tools and messages vary according the targets?
The tools and messages greatly vary as different targets consume different information.
While some tools have question and answer sessions hence more engaging, others are
meant for only passing information without offering a platform for feedback or
clarifications [5]. A good example is the use of social media to inform the general public
about antibiotic awareness campaign. By using a common hashtag
#KeepAntibioticsWorking, the general public are invited to share what they are doing or
how they responsibly use antibiotics by posting their pictures, videos or messages [7].
The message on the social media platform is the burden of infections on resistant
bacteria. The infographics for the general public also contains the data of the people
who are directly or indirectly affected by the antibiotics resistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The ECDC uses infographics, social media, posters and leaflets,
videos, and factsheets as communication tools. These tools are used for different
population including hospital prescribers, the general public, primary care takers as well
as the experts. These populations either directly or indirectly influences the intake of
antibiotics hence the target. It is also important to note that the messages for these
populations vary since they play different roles in the intake of antibiotics.

References
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https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161216645340
3. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The ECDC Antibiotic
awareness 2016. retrieved from https://antibiotic.ecdc.europa.eu/en
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9. Siricharoen, W. V. "Infographic role in helping communication for promoting
health and well-being." Conference: proceedings of the second international
conference on computer science, computer engineering, and education
technologies (CSCEET2015). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2015.
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SAY NO TO ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE
Antibiotic
resistance is one of
the biggest threats
to global health,
food security, and
development today
Antibiotic
resistance can
affect anyone,
of any age, in
any country.
v
Antibiotics
resistance leads
to increased
mortality.
Antibiotic
resistance
leads to higher
medical costs,
and prolonged
hospital stays
Only use
antibiotics
when
prescribed by
a certified
health
professional
Always follow
your health
worker’s advice
when using
antibiotics
Prevent infections
by regularly washing
hands, preparing
food hygienically,
avoiding close
contact with sick
people, keeping
vaccinations up to
date
Never share or use
leftover antibiotics
or demand
antibiotics if your
health worker says
you don’t need
them