AVF’s interactive radio shows to gather citizens’ insights on antimicrobial resistance in Bungoma, Kilifi and Kiambu Counties

Africa’s Voices Foundation (AVF) in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) with funding from Wellcome Trust, will be implementing a project in the counties of Kilifi, Bungoma and Kiambu, from February – April 2021, that aims at understanding the general public’s knowledge, attitudes and practices on antimicrobial resistance. 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is prevalent in Kenya. It’s a situation that occurs when viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria do not respond to the medications, making illness harder to treat hence escalating the risk of severe illness, disease spread and death. Various factors like overuse of drugs, such as antibiotics, by human beings, agriculture and livestock as well as poor access to water and sanitation, have led to an increase in the threat of AMR in Kenya. 

The project will use a citizen-generated data (CGD) approach through AVF’s interactive radio methodology, which combines the broadcast of radio discussion programmes with citizen feedback via SMS. A total of eight radio shows will be aired across 3 target locations (and three radio stations one for each location) making a  total of 24 radio shows.