Beat Bad Microbes: Raising public awareness of antibiotic resistance in Rwanda

Walker, Sue; Halai, Manjula; Warner, Rachel; Bravo, Josefina

doi:10.1075/idj.20023.wal

Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 26:1 (2021) ► pp.17–32

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Beat Bad Microbes

Raising public awareness of antibiotic resistance in Rwanda

Sue Walker | University of Reading

Manjula Halai | University of Reading

Rachel Warner | University of Reading

Josefina Bravo | University of Reading

Published online: 28 April 2021

https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.20023.wal

Abstract

Health-related information design has made a difference to people’s lives through clear explanation of procedures, processes, disease prevention and maintenance. This paper provides an example of user-centered design being applied to engage people with the prevention of drug-resistant infection. In particular, we focus on antibiotic resistance in the specific location of a community pharmacy in Rwanda. We describe an information campaign, Beat Bad Microbes, and summarize the challenges and opportunities of working in Rwanda on a cross-disciplinary project in which design research and practice are closely integrated.

Keywords: AMR, antibiotic resistance, codesign, partnership, health, patient information, information design, user-centered design

Article outline

1.Introduction
2.An ‘equitable partnership’
3.The origins of Beat Bad Microbes
4.Workshops: Developing Beat Bad Bugs for Rwanda
- 4.1First workshop: Producing a design brief
  - Visual identity
  - Antibiotic record card
  - Information about antibiotics
- 4.2Second workshop: Feedback from stakeholders
  - Visual identity
  - Antibiotic record card
  - Information cards
  - Set of posters
  - Information for pharmacists
5.Challenges, benefits and opportunities
Acknowledgements
References

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