Article-20/08/2024

ReAct Africa has expanded efforts to educate and engage children in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As part of the Kenya Alforja Project, ReAct Africa in collaboration with Ace Africa and the University of Dundee Dental School implemented a project aimed at sensitizing children on Oral Health and AMR. The burden of oral health diseases affects a significant portion of the population in Africa. Due to weak health systems, and poor health-seeking behaviors, many people resort to purchasing over-the-counter antimicrobials to self-manage dental infections which is likely to exacerbate the AMR situation. Despite its significant burden, oral health is rarely addressed when developing AMR mitigation interventions. This was a novel project aimed at educating and engaging children on the interconnection of Oral Health and AMR.

The project involved children in upper primary level and junior secondary school. A total of 8 primary schools were engaged in the project; 6 schools from Siaya County and 2 schools from Busia County. A total of 5476 children and 65 teachers were engaged in the project. The project also involved a consultative forum with teachers from 10 primary schools and community health promoters in Busia County on how to refine and co-create interventions and develop sustainable mechanisms for engaging the children in AMR and oral health.