19-2
THE TEACHING METHODS AND AIDS
It is important not to use medicines when they are not needed. But for certain
infections caused by bacteria, the correct use of antibiotics is of great benefit and
can save lives. Health workers need to have a clear understanding of. . .
• when antibiotics are needed
• when they are not needed or are likely to be harmful
• which of the common antibiotics to use for different infections and why
• the relative advantages and disadvantages of different antibiotics (effectiveness,
risks, side effects, and cost)
• how to give them and with what advice
On the following pages, we describe a set of teaching aids that has been used
very successfully for learning games about antibiotics. They help health workers
understand the basic principles behind the proper use of these medicines. The aids
were developed by Project Piaxtla, in Mexico, and can be made by the students
themselves (although this takes a good deal of time and is perhaps best done in
advance).
Two learning games have been developed. The second follows from the first.
Both require sets of cards and figures, which can be made by following the patterns
we show on these pages. Or you can adapt them by using local symbols. If you
prepare the figures for use on a large flannel-board, everyone will be able to see
them clearly.
After using these games to learn the basic principles for the use of antibiotics,
students can play with the games to test each other.
The first learning game
helps health workers
understand how common
antibiotics work and what
their effects are— both
beneficial and harmful.
These different effects
are summarized on the
next page.
THE FIRST ANTIBIOTIC LEARNING GAME
demonstrated by Pablo Chavez of Ajoya, Mexico