Recorded presentation

Amyanne Wuthrich-Reggio, BS, CHES, Wendi Morales, BS, Jacqueline Williamson, MS, Matthew H. Samore, MD, Amiee Maxwell, BS, Katherine Sebastian, BA, Bassam Haddadin, MPH, and Scott Engelstad, BSN. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East Room AC230A, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, 801-585-7067, amyanne.wuthrich-reggio@hsc.utah.edu

The rates of antibiotic resistance are increasing, bringing to bear a large public health concern. In order to combat this trend, the IMPART (Inter-mountain Project on Antimicrobial Resistance and Therapy) project, a CDC funded study conducted by the University of Utah, seeks to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics by implementing a community-based health education campaign. To date, many community-based health education interventions have been implemented in IMPART study communities. A recently developed card game titled “Germinator” is one example of such interventions. The rules of “Germinator” are based upon biological truths. Bacteria and viruses are the “villains,” and are rated according to the severity of the illness they cause. Hand-washing, healthy eating, and immunizations teach the valuable principles of prevention. When a player is infected with a “villain,” the player then defends himself with “heroes” and “weapons”. The Super Boy uses his weapons of drinking liquids, communicating with their doctor, and if the “villian” is a bacteria, antibiotics. The concept of antibiotic resistance is taught through the game rules by making a bacterial card resistant to the antibiotic card if the antibiotic card is played more than twice. The cards have been distributed to study communities using two distribution methods: using schools as a dissemination point, and blanketing communities using all available dissemination methods. Instruments have been developed to evaluate the interventions impact on player’s knowledge, as well as the diffusion of the innovation. Data is currently being collected and analyzed, and will be reported as applicable.

Learning Objectives: at the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to

• recognize the biological premise upon which "Germinator" is designed.
• articulate the advantages of using a card game as a public health education tool.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation