1) Knowledge and awareness of antibiotics	• Different diseases have different causes. • Many diseases are either caused by bacteria or viruses. • Different types of medicines work for the diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. • If you take the wrong type of medicine, they will not cure the disease. • Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. • Antibiotics do not treat infectious disease caused by viruses. Common cold and sore throats are often caused by viruses and therefore antibiotics do not work against these diseases. • The antibiotics provided in regular health facilities pass through various quality controls and are very effective to treat the diseases caused by bacteria.
2) Knowledge and awareness of antibiotic resistance	• Many people use antibiotics often, even though they cannot prevent and treat all infections. • If used inappropriately, antibiotics may stop being useful for fighting infections in the future. This is called antibiotic resistance. • This is very dangerous as people may be sick more often or even die from infections that we have previously been able to control. • You can prevent infections and avoid taking antibiotics by regularly washing your hands, handling food in a clean manner, washing hands after contact with sick people and covering your mouth when you cough. • Do not throw left-over or expired antibiotics in the open environment as they may harm the good bacteria.
3) Accessing antibiotics	• Sometimes the symptoms of diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be similar. • Only a qualified health care provider can diagnose what causes your disease and which medicines you need to cure it. • If you are severely ill, always go to a community clinic or another qualified provider for diagnosis and treatment. • Only use antibiotics when advised by a qualified provider to ensure you get correct treatment for your disease. • Do not take any antibiotics by yourself and only buy them from a pharmacy if advised by a qualified provider. • You can help ensure that antibiotics remain effective by only taking antibiotics when advised by a qualified provider. • Sometimes diseases may be mild – if you only feel mildly ill, you may not need any medication at all.
4) Appropriate use of antibiotics	• Always follow the advice of Community Healthcare Providers or other qualified providers about how antibiotics should be taken. • It is important to use antibiotics at the right time for the right duration. This will ensure they remain effective in the future. • Always complete a full course of antibiotics as advised by a qualified provider, even if you feel better. Sometimes people start feeling better before the infection is completely cured, but it’s important to get rid of the bacteria altogether. • By taking a full course of antibiotics as advised by a qualified provider, you help to ensure that lifesaving antibiotics will continue to stay effective for us, our families and everyone in the community. • Never save antibiotics for later or share them with others, as this poses risks for you and others.