Fitting the message to the location: engaging adults with antimicrobial resistance in a World War 2 air raid shelter.

J Verran,J Brooks,J Redfern,C Haigh,J.A Butler

doi:10.1111/jam.13937

Abstract

There are many different initiatives, global and local, designed to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and change audience behaviour. However, it is not possible to assess the impact of specific, small-scale events on national and international outcomes-although one might acknowledge some contribution to the individual and collective knowledge and experience-focused 'science capital' As with any research, in preparation for a public engagement event, it is important to identify aims, and appropriate methods whose results might help satisfy those aims. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to develop, deliver and evaluate an event designed to engage an adult audience with AMR. The venue was a World War 2 air raid shelter, enabling comparison of the pre- and postantibiotic eras via three different activity stations, focusing on nursing, the search for new antibiotics and investigations into novel antimicrobials. The use of observers released the presenters from evaluation duties, enabling them to focus on their specific activities. Qualitative measures of audience engagement were combined with quantitative data. The evaluation revealed that adult audiences can easily be absorbed into an activity-particularly if hands-on-after a brief introduction. This research demonstrates that hands-on practical engagement with AMR can enable high-level interaction and learning in an informal and enjoyable environment.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as a global issue
The evaluation revealed that adult audiences can be absorbed into an activity- if hands-on - after a brief introduction
Stockport tunnels provided an ideal opportunity to explore antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with an adult audience by revisiting the pre-antibiotic era (penicillin was made available for the troops fighting the Second World War, but because it was in short supply, it was not available for the civilian population, except in very rare circumstances as a ‘corpse-raising drug’ (Brooks, 2018)), and considering a ‘post-antibiotic era

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as a global issue. Others encourage researchers to address the challenges of diagnosis and discovery of new agents (https://longitudeprize.org/), to apply for focused funding (Kelly, Zoubiane et al 2016) and to work with politicians and policy makers (egLeSPAR [www.bsac.org.uk/learned-societies-partnership-on-antimicrobial-resistance-lespar/]). Children are the target audience for games such as e-bug (McNulty 2011), plays (https://www.microbiologysociety.org/event/education-outreach-events/stopping-the-spread-ofsuperbugs-2012.html) and hands-on activities such as the Small Worlds Initiative (Davis, Sloan et al.2017) and Antibiotics Unearthed (https://www.microbiologysociety.org/educationoutreach/antibiotics-unearthed.html). At family-focused events, adults tend to work with the scientists to engage their own children. Adults can access public information through television and poster advertisements, events (eg science cafes), the news and other media

Methods

Results

Conclusion