"Barn, infektioner och antibiotika "BVC:s föräldrautbildning - Children, infections and antibiotics" at child health centers (BVC)

Objectives and Target Audience

Objective(s)

1. Educate parents about viral vs bacterial infections in children.
2. Promote rational antibiotic use and reduce overprescription.
3. Support parents in home care and decision-making about when to seek medical help.
4. Encourage hygiene practices to limit infection spread.

Target audience

Caregivers

Parents of young children

Campaign Scope

Regional

Communication Strategy

Communication Channels Used

Printed materials

websites/blogs

Institutional distribution

Powerpoints

Campaign Material(s)

Brochure

Powerpoint training

Key messages

Potentially:
1. Most infections are viral and don’t require antibiotics.
2. Antibiotics can harm: they disrupt good bacteria, may cause resistance, and have side effects.
3. Children often recover in 1 week with or without antibiotics.
4. Use antibiotics only when medically necessary.
5. Practice hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoid spreading infections.

Campaign Focus

Human health

Campaign Setting

Maternal and child healthcare settings (BVC)

Parent education meetings

Waiting rooms

Clinics

Preschools

Design and Content

Use of Scientific Evidence

Implicit Evidence-Based Messaging

Visual and Symbolic Elements

Use of colors

Sector-specific icons

Pedagogical Approach

Educational model applied

Transmissive

Content Complexity Level

Specialized

Diversity and Inclusion

Content accessibility

Diversity and Inclusion

Involvement of Vulnerable Groups

Cultural Sensitivity and Contextualization

Yes

Dissemination and Sustainability

Replicability

Yes

Content usage license

Free

Campaign Status

Active

Lessons and Observations

Identified gaps

No scientific evidence or references, unclear if evidence-based

Credibility assumed due to source, no references

Accessible formats for hearing impaired users not provided

Accessible formats for visually impaired users not provided

No adaptation for different age groups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section not included

Campaign timeline information incomplete or missing

Interactive features not included

Feedback or audience involvement not visible

Reporting on results or impact not found

Outreach activities not documented

1. No multilingual versions provided, limiting accessibility for non-Swedish speakers.
2. Lacks digital tools (e.g., videos, animations, QR codes).
3. No mention of follow-up mechanisms or parent feedback integration.
4. Doesn’t address social or systemic factors (e.g., pressure from school/daycare to provide antibiotics)

Lessons learned

Multilingual materials may reach more diverse communities.

Tailoring content to specific groups (e.g., parents, seniors, teens) may enhance impact.

Partnering with schools, municipalities, and local groups may enhance credibility and distribution.

1. Clear, repetitive messaging around antibiotics improves parent understanding.
2. Realistic child case scenarios are relatable and helpful.
3. Antibiotic campaigns must include symptom timelines and what-to-do checklists.
4. Future strategies should involve evaluation tools and parent engagement.

Identified biases

Digital Access Bias

Digital Literacy Bias

Disability Accessibility Bias

Educational Bias

Evaluation Absence Bias

Involvement Bias

Scientific Basis Bias

Vulnerable Groups Bias

1. Medical authority bias: Assumes information from professionals will change behavior without participatory strategies.
2. Cultural bias: Based on Swedish health beliefs—may not translate across diverse groups.
3. Assumes high trust in the healthcare system and access to primary care.

Identified Weaknesses

Limited feedback loop

Limited accessibility

Limited reach / Single channel

1. One-directional communication.
2. No support for decision-making under uncertainty (e.g., borderline symptoms).
3. Lacks appeal to emotional drivers (e.g., concern for child’s well-being may override rational message).
4. No quantified impact on prescribing behavior or health outcomes.

Identified Strengths

Easy to locate materials

Call to Action

1. Empowers parents with concrete home care actions.
2. Includes clear guidance on when to seek medical attention.
3. Addresses common misconceptions (e.g., yellow mucus ≠ need for antibiotics).
4. Emphasizes hygiene and public health responsibility.

Documents