Abstract
Peer education (PE) interventions may help improve knowledge and appropriate use of antibiotics in young adults. In this feasibility study, health-care students were trained to educate 16–18 years old biology students, who then educated their non-biology peers, using e-Bug antibiotic lessons. Knowledge was assessed by questionnaires, and antibiotic use by questionnaire, SMS messaging and GP record searches. Five of 17 schools approached participated (3 PE and 2 control (usual lessons)). 59% (10/17) of university students and 28% (15/54) of biology students volunteered as peer-educators. PE was well-received; 30% (38/127) intervention students and 55% (66/120) control students completed all questionnaires. Antibiotic use from GP medical records (54/136, 40% of students’ data available), student SMS (69/136, 51% replied) and questionnaire (109/136, 80% completed) data showed good agreement between GP and SMS (kappa = 0.72), but poor agreement between GP and questionnaires (kappa = 0.06). Median knowledge scores were higher post-intervention, with greater improvement for non-biology students. Delivering and evaluating e-Bug PE is feasible with supportive school staff. Single tiered PE by university students may be easier to regulate and manage due to time constraints on school students. SMS collection of antibiotic data is easier and has similar accuracy to GP data.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health [1]
Ten of 17 (59%) university students approached agreed to volunteer as peer educators (PEds)
The results indicated there was less knowledge improvement post Peer education (PE) about antibiotic-resistant bacteria, its carriage and spread; this may be a difficult concept for some students to understand fully and teach others about, especially for non-biology students
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health [1]. Public education helps to improve antibiotic use; this includes public health initiatives such as World Antibiotic AwarenessWeek, local public campaigns and educating young people [1]. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health [1]. Public education helps to improve antibiotic use; this includes public health initiatives such as World Antibiotic Awareness. Local public campaigns and educating young people [1]. Antibiotics are a commonly prescribed childhood medicine [2]. Educational resources targeting hygiene for young people should help to reduce the rate of infections and antibiotic use. Young people aged 15–24 years have a lower understanding of conditions that are effectively treated by antibiotics compared to other age groups [3].
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