Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global issue that threatens our ability to treat infections effectively. One key factor driving AMR is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, particularly in primary care settings. This highlights the need to address not only inappropriate expectations and behaviors around antibiotics but also other practices that contribute to AMR, such as inadequate hygiene. Unfortunately, many people are not well-informed about AMR, and public awareness of the problem remains low.

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a Global Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), emphasizing the need to raise awareness and understanding of AMR through education and public health campaigns for both the public and healthcare professionals. Building on this, the WHO recently released a roadmap for the European Region for 2023–2030, highlighting the importance of community awareness and promoting responsible behaviors as a key focus for action. 

Aims

The WHO Collaborating Centre on Social and Behavioural Research in Antimicrobial Resistance (SABRAR) is dedicated to supporting WHO’s efforts to promote behavior change to address the growing threat of AMR. Our mission is to advance the understanding of social and behavioral factors driving AMR and to develop effective interventions that encourage positive behavior change. Specifically, the key objectives of WHOCC SABRAR are:

  1. To support WHO’s work to identify and define future behavioural research activities related to antimicrobial resistance.
  2. To support WHO in developing standardised measures to assess perceptions, behaviours, and practices regarding antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance in different population groups.
  3. To support WHO in developing and evaluating individual and structural interventions and provide technical support for in-country activities aimed at promoting perceptions, behaviours, and practices that reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.