Development and Initial Evaluation of a national Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Resistance programme for UK Girlguiding and Scouts

Between 2016-18, infection prevention (IP) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) projects were developed independently by Girlguiding and Scout groups across four UK regions. The UK 5-year AMR Action Plan outlines the importance of public engagement. This abstract describes the development, pilot and initial evaluation of a national infection prevention (IP) and AMR resource pack for Girlguiding and Scouts.

Early 2019, PHE developed a national working-group, including local pilot individuals, and Girlguiding and Scout volunteers interested in IP and AMR to agree on the content of a national programme through a consensus approach. Summer 2019, the programme was piloted across the UK. Initial evaluation included course leader feedback and an age-appropriate survey.

The consensus process concluded that the programme should include interactive e-Bug activities regarding microbes; hand, respiratory and food hygiene; antimicrobials and AMR. To consolidate learning, participants would create posters, make Antibiotic Guardian pledges, and share these with their families. A draft resource pack was developed to enable the programme to be delivered by leaders without a science/health background. Initial evaluation with over 150 children will be presented, to include enjoyment, acquisition of knowledge, and intentions to change health behaviours (i.e. improve hand and respiratory hygiene, and only use antibiotics when needed). Feedback from children and leaders will be used to update the resource pack prior to launch.

This national programme is engaging and delivers key IP and AMR messages. The programme will be launched for World Antibiotics Awareness Week 2019. Full evaluation planned for 2020.