Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Antibiotic 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 ph...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-6409-x |
| _version_ | 1818511448333090816 |
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| author | Marit Waaseth Abdifatah Adan Ingrid L. Røen Karoline Eriksen Tijana Stanojevic Kjell H. Halvorsen Beate H. Garcia Lone Holst Karen M. Ulshagen Hege S. Blix Hilde Ariansen Hedvig M. E. Nordeng |
| author_facet | Marit Waaseth Abdifatah Adan Ingrid L. Røen Karoline Eriksen Tijana Stanojevic Kjell H. Halvorsen Beate H. Garcia Lone Holst Karen M. Ulshagen Hege S. Blix Hilde Ariansen Hedvig M. E. Nordeng |
| author_sort | Marit Waaseth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Antibiotic 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. Methods A 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. Results Among 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). Conclusions Despite 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T23:33:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-25444c47d6c142209a9512a46acd0779 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T23:33:30Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-25444c47d6c142209a9512a46acd07792022-12-22T01:29:17ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582019-01-0119111210.1186/s12889-019-6409-xKnowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional studyMarit Waaseth0Abdifatah Adan1Ingrid L. Røen2Karoline Eriksen3Tijana Stanojevic4Kjell H. Halvorsen5Beate H. Garcia6Lone Holst7Karen M. Ulshagen8Hege S. Blix9Hilde Ariansen10Hedvig M. E. Nordeng11Department of Pharmacy, UiT The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Pharmacy, UiT The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of OsloDepartment of Pharmacy, UiT The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Pharmacy, UiT The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenNorwegian Medicines AgencyDivision of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public HealthPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of OsloPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of OsloAbstract Background Antibiotic 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. Methods A 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. Results Among 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). Conclusions Despite 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.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-6409-xAntibioticsAntibiotic resistanceAntibiotic knowledgeAttitudesBeliefs about medicinesBMQ |
| spellingShingle | Marit Waaseth Abdifatah Adan Ingrid L. Røen Karoline Eriksen Tijana Stanojevic Kjell H. Halvorsen Beate H. Garcia Lone Holst Karen M. Ulshagen Hege S. Blix Hilde Ariansen Hedvig M. E. Nordeng Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study BMC Public Health Antibiotics Antibiotic resistance Antibiotic knowledge Attitudes Beliefs about medicines BMQ |
| title | Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among norwegian pharmacy customers a cross sectional study |
| topic | Antibiotics Antibiotic resistance Antibiotic knowledge Attitudes Beliefs about medicines BMQ |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-6409-x |
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