Knowledge and awareness of the general public and perception of pharmacists about antibiotic resistance

Abstract

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance (AR) continues to be a serious problem. Many factors contribute to AR, including inappropriate use of antibiotics, in which both healthcare professionals and patients play a contributing role. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of antibiotic usage and AR among the general public (in affluent and deprived areas) and community pharmacists’ (CPs’) in Greater London.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving members of the public was conducted between July 2014 and February 2015. Stage one involved members of the public (N = 384) residing in affluent areas of London. The second stage targeted public (N = 384) in deprived areas of London. In addition, CPs (N = 240) across the same areas were also surveyed. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS Software packages.ResultsResponse rate: 36% (n = 139/384) and 57% (n = 220/384) and 25% (n = 60/240) of public residing in affluent areas, deprived areas and of CPs respectively was achieved. Definitive trends in knowledge of how antibiotics work could not be drawn to distinguish between affluent and deprived areas. However, public respondents residing in affluent areas possessed better understanding of AR and prudent use of antibiotics, and this was statistically significant in both cases (p < 0.05). Exposure to an antibiotic campaign (32% in affluent areas, 17% in deprived areas) did not raise public respondents’ knowledge on AR and only partially raised their general knowledge on antibiotics usage. Only 20% of public residing in deprived areas received counselling from a CP, among them 74% had an antibiotic prescribed on at least one previous occasion. Those who received counselling displayed better knowledge about concordance/adherence with respect to antibiotic usage (p < 0.05) whereas exposure to an antibiotic campaign made no significant impact on knowledge about concordance/adherence.ConclusionThe study highlights that there has been no change in the status quo with respect to awareness of antibiotic usage and AR even after the implementation of several awareness campaigns in England. Those who benefited from CP counselling showed a significant better knowledge towards prudent antibiotic usage which stresses the importance of CPs’ counselling on antibiotic prescription.

The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacists in their Approach to Antibiotic Use: A Nationwide Survey in Italy

“…Several investigations in different countries have assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the general population and physicians regarding antibiotic use [10][11][12][13][14][15]; however, relatively few have been conducted among pharmacists [16][17][18]. To date, there is a general paucity of information in the literature on this topic among Italian community pharmacists.…”

Global antimicrobial resistance: a complex and dire threat with few definite answers

“…Nevertheless, it remains uncertain what impact such educational campaigns will have, as similar, long‐standing strategies in HICs (e.g. the UK and USA) have resulted in only minimal changes in the public's knowledge and attitudes around antibiotics, and in actual outpatient prescribing patterns .…”

Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Practices and Perceptions on Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional, Self-Administered Questionnaire Survey, in Guediawaye and Pikine, Senegal

“…In addition, few pharmacists admitted that the irrational use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine is a risk factor for antibiotic resistance. Yet this link is widely proven in the literature [9] [16]. Failure to understand this link could be a barrier to future and imperative collaboration between pharmacists and animal health professionals in the fight against antibiotic resistance.…”

“…The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance is progressing. At the same time, few new antibiotics are being developed [13] [16]. Thus, the WHO recommends prudent use of currently available antibiotics including those critically important for human medicine.…”

“…Community pharmacists are among the most accessible health professionals [10]. As such, they can play a special role in reducing antibiotic resistance [16].…”