Olalla Vazquez-Cancela1,2, Laura Souto-Lopez1, Juan M Vazquez-Lago1,2,3, Ana Lopez4, Adolfo Figueiras1,3,5. 1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña (Corunna), Spain. 2. University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña (Corunna), Spain. 3. Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 4. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain. 5. Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance is an important Public Health problem and many studies link it to antibiotic misuse. The population plays a key role in such misuse. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was thus to explore the factors that might influence antibiotic use and resistance in the general population. METHODS: Qualitative research using the focus group (FG) method. Groups were formed by reference to the following criteria: age (over and under 65 years); place of origin; and educational/professional qualifications. FG sessions were recorded, transcribed and then separately analysed by two researchers working independently. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. RESULTS: Eleven FGs were formed with a total of 75 participants. The principal factors identified as possible determinants of antibiotic misuse were: (i) lack of knowledge about antibiotics; (ii) doctor-patient relationship problems; (iii) problems of adherence; and, (iv) use without medical prescription. Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon unknown to the population and is perceived as an individual problem, with the term "resistance" being confused with "tolerance". None of the groups reported that information about resistance had been disseminated by the health care sector. CONCLUSIONS: The public is unaware of the important role it plays in the advance of antimicrobial resistance. There is evidence of diverse factors, many of them modifiable, which might account for antibiotic misuse. Better understanding these factors could be useful in drawing up specific strategies aimed at improving antibiotic use.
BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance is an important Public Health problem and many studies link it to antibiotic misuse. The population plays a key role in such misuse. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was thus to explore the factors that might influence antibiotic use and resistance in the general population. METHODS: Qualitative research using the focus group (FG) method. Groups were formed by reference to the following criteria: age (over and under 65 years); place of origin; and educational/professional qualifications. FG sessions were recorded, transcribed and then separately analysed by two researchers working independently. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. RESULTS: Eleven FGs were formed with a total of 75 participants. The principal factors identified as possible determinants of antibiotic misuse were: (i) lack of knowledge about antibiotics; (ii) doctor-patient relationship problems; (iii) problems of adherence; and, (iv) use without medical prescription. Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon unknown to the population and is perceived as an individual problem, with the term "resistance" being confused with "tolerance". None of the groups reported that information about resistance had been disseminated by the health care sector. CONCLUSIONS: The public is unaware of the important role it plays in the advance of antimicrobial resistance. There is evidence of diverse factors, many of them modifiable, which might account for antibiotic misuse. Better understanding these factors could be useful in drawing up specific strategies aimed at improving antibiotic use.
Authors: Jesús Rodríguez-Baño; José Ramón Paño-Pardo; Luis Alvarez-Rocha; Angel Asensio; Esther Calbo; Emilia Cercenado; José Miguel Cisneros; Javier Cobo; Olga Delgado; José Garnacho-Montero; Santiago Grau; Juan Pablo Horcajada; Ana Hornero; Javier Murillas-Angoiti; Antonio Oliver; Belén Padilla; Juan Pasquau; Miquel Pujol; Patricia Ruiz-Garbajosa; Rafael San Juan; Rafael Sierra Journal: Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin Date: 2011-12-15 Impact factor: 1.731
Authors: Cristian Gonzalez-Gonzalez; Paula López-Vázquez; Juan Manuel Vázquez-Lago; María Piñeiro-Lamas; Maria Teresa Herdeiro; Pilar Chávarri Arzamendi; Adolfo Figueiras Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-10-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Eili Y Klein; Thomas P Van Boeckel; Elena M Martinez; Suraj Pant; Sumanth Gandra; Simon A Levin; Herman Goossens; Ramanan Laxminarayan Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2018-03-26 Impact factor: 11.205