A systematic review of the public's knowledge and beliefs about antibiotic resistance

A. R. McCullough*, S. Parekh, J. Rathbone, C. B. Del Mar, T. C. Hoffmann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

170 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to systematically review quantitative and qualitative studies on the public's knowledge and beliefs about antibiotic resistance.

Methods: We searched four databases to July 2014, with no language or study design restrictions. Two reviewers independently extracted data. We calculated the median (IQR) of the proportion of participants who agreed with each statement and synthesized qualitative data by identifying emergent themes.

Results: Of 3537 articles screened, 54 studies (41 quantitative, 3 mixed methods and 10 qualitative) were included (55225 participants). Most studied adults (50; 93% studies) and were conducted in Europe (23; 43%), Asia (14; 26%) or North America (12; 22%). Some participants [median 70% (IQR 50%-84%); n = 8 studies] had heard of antibiotic resistance, but most [median 88% (IQR 86%-89%); n = 2 studies] believed it referred to changes in the human body. Many believed excessive antibiotic use [median 70% (IQR 59%-77%); n = 11 studies] and not completing antibiotic courses [median 62% (IQR 47%-77%); n = 8 studies] caused resistance. Most participants nominated reducing antibiotic use [median 74% (IQR 72%-85%); n = 4 studies] and discussing antibiotic resistance with their clinician (84%, n = 1 study) as strategies to reduce resistance. Qualitative data supported these findings and additionally identified that: participants believed they were at low risk from antibiotic resistance participants; largely attributed its development to the actions of others; and strategies to minimize resistance should be primarily aimed at clinicians.

Conclusions: The public have an incomplete understanding of antibiotic resistance and misperceptions about it and its causes and do not believe they contribute to its development. These data can be used to inform interventions to change the public's beliefs about how they can contribute to tackling this global issue.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-33
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Volume71
Issue number1
Early online date12 Oct 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A systematic review of the public's knowledge and beliefs about antibiotic resistance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this