BackgroundAntibiotic resistance is a global health threat. Public knowledge is considered a prerequisite for appropriate use of antibiotics and limited spread of antibiotic resistance. Our aim was to examine the level of knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers, and to assess to which degree beliefs, attitudes and sociodemographic factors are associated with this knowledge.MethodsA questionnaire based, cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy customers in three Norwegian cities. The questionnaire covered 1) knowledge of antibiotics (13 statements) and antibiotic resistance (10 statements), 2) the general beliefs about medicines questionnaire (BMQ general) (three subdomains, four statements each), 3) attitudes toward antibiotic use (four statements), and 4) sociodemographic factors, life style and health. High knowledge level was defined as > 66% of maximum score. Factors associated with knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance were investigated through univariate and multiple linear regression. Hierarchical model regression was used to estimate a population average knowledge score weighted for age, gender and level of education.ResultsAmong 877 participants, 57% had high knowledge of antibiotics in general and 71% had high knowledge of antibiotic resistance. More than 90% knew that bacteria can become resistant against antibiotics and that unnecessary use of antibiotics can make them less effective. Simultaneously, more than 30% erroneously stated that antibiotics are effective against viruses, colds or influenza. Factors positively associated with antibiotic knowledge were health professional background, high education level, and a positive view on the value of medications in general. Male gender, a less restrictive attitude toward antibiotic use, and young age were negatively associated with antibiotic knowledge. The mean overall antibiotic knowledge score was relatively high (15.6 out of maximum 23 with estimated weighted population score at 14.8).ConclusionsDespite a high level of knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers, there are obvious knowledge gaps. We suggest that action is taken to increase the knowledge level, and particularly target people in vocational, male dominated occupations outside the health service, and primary/secondary school curricula.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6409-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

venous heparin and warfarin, which was given orally for about six months. One patient (case 1) required radiotherapy for a recurrence of a localised lymphoma but thereafter remained free of a recurrence 30 months after starting chemotherapy. Three patients showed no recurrence of lymphoma 14, 18, and 21 months after starting chemotherapy, and the last patient (case 5) was in remission, having recently completed chemotherapy.

Ranitidine has a good and clinically significant effect in a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia.

Seven Norwegian centres recruited 61 female and 54 male patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). Their mean age was 40 years. After 6 weeks' double-blind alternating treatment with 150 mg ranitidine twice daily and placebo, 1 week of each alternative (part I), an effect score (Xs) and an efficacy index (Ei) were calculated. Ranitidine was significantly superior to placebo for symptomatic relief (p less than 0.01). Twenty-eight, 49, and 38 patients were Xs-classified as 'responders', 'unclassified', and 'nonresponders' to ranitidine, respectively. The symptomatic effect was impressive in the responder group and moderate but significant also in the unclassified group. The nonresponders had a significantly unfavourable effect of ranitidine compared with placebo. The Xs-classified responders and unclassified continued single-blind treatment with ranitidine for 4 weeks (part II) and were reclassified as 'new responders/nonresponders'. The new responders received single-blind treatment with placebo until relapse or maximum 8 weeks (part III). Parts II and III verified the good Xs classification of responders to ranitidine treatment. The overall effect of ranitidine in patients with NUD was due to good symptomatic effect in a subpopulation characterized by meal-related heartburn and/or regurgitation, large body mass index, first-degree relatives with gastrointestinal diseases, a relatively low frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms per week, and absence of soft stools.