African First Aid Materials (AFAM)
Several Red Cross national societies expressed the need for first-aid materials tailored to the African context. In addition, the World Bank identified first-aid training as a low-cost opportunity to decrease the burden of disease and injury in sub-Saharan Africa. In this light, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders decided to develop first-aid materials (in the form of the African First Aid Materials (AFAM)) including prevention-related advice for the African context drawing on the latest medical and scientific data with the aid of the evidence-based practice methodology.
AFAM was developed using evidence-based practice that takes into account the latest available scientific evidence. Evidence-based practice also takes into account the experience of specialists and preferences of certain target groups and the means that are available to them.
Why use AFAM?
AFAM is easy and ready to use!
AFAM is a first-aid manual that can be used for many target audiences. You'll find a treasure trove of information there. For every condition, the most important actions are described and illustrated, accompanied by simple instructions. Furthermore, caregivers can use this information and incorporate it into their own electronic and print publications.
- Specialists throughout sub-Saharan Africa developed the guidelines on which AFAM is based. Special attention was given here to African studies.
- All the illustrations feature African models.
- A panel of 11 African experts from the Red Cross and other organisations guided the project. The panel discussed and validated the recommendations and educational material.
- AFAM-based didactic tools developed by African partners will be shared electronically on the download page. In this way African first-aid organisations can share their AFAM-based tools.
- An easy tool for supporting the rollout of first-aid training for children in Africa.
What about children?
Children are never too young to learn first aid. The earlier children are trained, the more likely it is that the provision of first aid will become a normal part of their lives. Repeated training provides them with a lot of knowledge and life skills, which leads to empowerment.
Therefore we developed an “educational pathway on first aid”, which offers Red Cross National Societies, trainers and teachers an evidence-based tool for setting up first aid education programmes for children in Africa. The pathway indicates how children can achieve necessary first aid competences in specific groups and over a certain period of time.
Use AFAM and/or educational pathway now
The digital AFAM manual and/or educational pathway for first aid can be downloaded free of charge. Please complete the form below to access this invaluable resource. All materials are available in English and French.