Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, or parasites) to prevent antimicrobial (antibiotics, antivirals, and antimalarials) from working. This condition often leads to persistent infections, ineffective treatments, and even death.
Studies have shown that compliance of professionals in prescribing antibiotics in health care settings and animal farms in low-middle income countries is generally low. Irresponsible use of antibiotics, whether overuse or misuse, has caused the emergence of resistant pathogens which is one of the main drivers of AMR. Awareness and understanding on factors contributing to AMR need to be improved.
During October, WHO Indonesia supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) by facilitating AMR awareness sessions at universities in three cities across Indonesia: Udayana University, Gadjah Mada University, and Padjajaran University. The sessions targeted medical, dentistry, veterinary, public health, nursing, and pharmaceutical students to sensitise them on the issues of AMR, including the use of antibiotics and the concept of the One Health approach that covers human health, veterinary health, and environmental health.
Globally, there is a gap between theoretical and practical inputs regarding health professional knowledge and practices related to AMR. Although health professionals often have good knowledge on the issue, this understanding is not always reflected in real-life attitude and practices. This underlines the importance of targeting students in an AMR awareness raising programme. Such a programme is expected to contribute to a future generation of literate antibiotics users and help set the path to develop health promotion and educational programmes with an emphasis on behaviour change.
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Image: Ministry of Health focal point on AMR (left), accompanied by a student and a lecturer, practice proper handwashing in front of medical, veterinary, and pharmaceutical students of Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta. Credit: WHO/dr. Benyamin Sihombing
The lectures also highlighted the compliance of health professionals with infection prevention control (IPC) measures. This issue is often ignored for a variety of reasons, including pressures on health professionals and the absence of basic facilities (clean water, sanitation, and hygiene -- WASH). Evidence suggests that poor WASH in health care facilities also leads to increased prophylactic use of antibiotics. Compelling evidence even shows that the transmission of resistant strains seems to be the dominant contributing factor for AMR.
Some 600 students attended the sessions at their respective universities. The lectures were led by various expert bodies including WHO Indonesia, FAO, MoH, and the National Committee of AMR control.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week is acknowledged annually in November. WHO Indonesia believes that it is important to increase global awareness on antibiotic resistance and encourage best practices among health workers, prescribers, policy makers, and the public. By implementing One Health and a cross-sectoral approach (such as these lectures) to address the threat of AMR, we can avoid further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Main photo: WHO Indonesia focal point on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) gives a lecture on the Global Situation and Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance at Udayana University, Denpasar.
Credit: Dr. Nani Widodo