Antimicrobial stewardship: changing risk-related behaviours in the general population

Antimicrobial stewardship: changing risk-related behaviours in the general population is a set of guidelines whcu aims at making people aware of how to correctly use antimicrobial medicines (including antibiotics) and the dangers associated with their overuse and misuse. It also includes measures to prevent and control infection that can stop people needing antimicrobials or spreading infection to others. It aims to change people’s behaviour to reduce antimicrobial resistance and the spread of resistant microbes.

The document has bveen prouced by  the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence which has responsibility for using best available evidence to provide national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

 The document recognises the importance of hygiene education in schools. NICE guidance recommends that children and young people are taught in an age appropriate manner, and recommends that schools use the e-bug resources, developed by Public Health England. The aim of e-Bug is to instil an awareness of the appropriate use of antibiotics from a young age, and to reduce antibiotic prescribing in young people. Through educating on the spread of infection and hygiene principles such as hand washing, respiratory hygiene and food hygiene, e-Bug aims to reduce infections in young people and therefore reduce the demand for antibiotics.

The overall content of the guideline includes recommendations on:
• ensuring antimicrobial stewardship programmes are a local priority
• providing information for the public about reducing inappropriate antimicrobial demand and use
• providing information for the public about preventing and reducing the spread of infections
• improving infection prevention knowledge and behaviour among children and young people