Community Use of Antibiotics in Turkey: The Role of Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Health Anxiety

Exploring the Influence of Family Attitudes and Individual Psychological Factors on Antibiotic Utilization: A Pilot Study

The inappropriate use of antibiotics gives rise to detrimental consequences, both physical and emotional, with a decreased quality of life and higher levels of anxiety and depression. The current observational study aimed to investigate the association between awareness, beliefs, and behaviors toward antibiotics, highlighting the modulating role of individual and psychological factors in response to illness and medication. Through an online questionnaire, several psychological indexes, as well as knowledge of, attitude toward, and experiences with antibiotics, both individual and family-related, were assessed in a sample of 100 responders (74 females, mean age 33.37 ± 11.36). A positive association between intake behavior, awareness, and individual attitude emerged. Familial approach to antibiotics appears as a predictor of individual attitude and behavior toward these drugs, and awareness about antibiotic risks mediate the relationship between the tendency to be more compliant with prescriptions (R2 = 0.300; MSE = 1.541; F(2, 98) = 20.737; p < 0.0001). Moreover, individuals with a personality characterized by higher conscientiousness are more aware of antibiotic risks (p < 0.01), whereas individuals with a lower awareness are those with higher indexes of psychophysical discomfort (i.e., anxiety, perceived stress, somatization) and levels of emotional rebound (p < 0.05). Anxiety (F(3, 96) = 3.874; p = 0.012; R2 = 0.108) and somatization (F(2, 97) = 3.114; p = 0.030; R2 = 0.089) also significatively moderated the intake behavior, despite the family approach. Overall, the current study provides preliminary findings regarding the way in which family experiences and individual psychological aspects may be influencing factors in the behavior and attitude towards antibiotics and can be used to plan patient-centered therapeutic communication and education.

Antibiotic Use in Communities

Since their discovery and clinical introduction in the 1930s-1940s, penicillin and sulphonamides have had a profound impact on public health [...].

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of medication and its influencing factors among residents in western China: a large-scale cross-sectional study

Background

This study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of drug use among residents in western China and its influencing factors for accurately designing the knowledge, contents, and methods of popular science activities for safe drug use among residents to provide a reference for conducting rational drug use educational activities and improving residents' level of safe drug use.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the KAP of medication among western China residents and its influencing factors from March to April 2023. Each question option was assigned a score according to logic, and the risk factors for resident medication safety KAP were explored through univariate and logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 7,557 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective recovery rate of 96.7%. The average scores of KAP were 72.77 ± 22.91, 32.89 ± 10.64, and 71.27 ± 19.09, respectively. In the evaluation criteria of the questionnaire, the score of medication knowledge reached "good," and the score of attitude and practice was "average." Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that male sex and low education level were significant factors affecting the lack of drug knowledge among residents. Old age and low education level were the factors of poor attitude toward medication. The low condition of medical security was a factor in residents' irregular drug use behavior.

Conclusion

The overall level of rational drug use among residents in western China is good, but there are still some inconsistencies. Rational drug use education should be conducted according to the risk points of residents in drug safety KAP to further improve the level of rational drug use of residents.

Antibiotics Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours among the Population Living in Greece and Turkey

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest threats to public health worldwide. As the inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistance, it is important to have an understanding of the public's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics among the public living in Greece and Turkey using an online cross-sectional survey, with social media advertising (e.g., Facebook) and snowball sampling. In total, 709 individuals completed the survey (Greece n = 309, Turkey n = 400), with an average age of 34.2 (SD = 13.1) and 40.5 (SD = 14.7), respectively. In Greece, 49.4% of the participants were female, and in Turkey, this figure was 62.4%. The Greek respondents reported that obtaining antibiotics without a prescription was easier (52.6% reported "easy or very easy") than the Turkish (35.6% reported "easy or very easy") respondents did. This study reveals that Greek citizens were more educated and knowledgeable about antibiotics (58.5% of Greeks and 44.2% of Turks identified antibiotics correctly), their effects (20.9% of Greeks and 26.3% of Turks agreed with wrong statements about antibiotics) and the risks of antibiotic resistance, compared to those from Turkey. On the other hand, the Greek respondents were more prone to use leftover antibiotics or to give them to someone else later (p < 0.001). The findings of this study indicate that Greece and Turkey, both countries with high rates of antibiotic usage, exhibit distinct variations in their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions concerning antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Effective countermeasures such as public campaigns should be targeted according to the population and those areas of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in which the main shortcomings lie.

Parental self-medication and associated factors in children: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the parental self-medication (SM) practices in children and associated factors in Adana, Turkey.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among the parents between December 2020 and April 2021. This study was conducted according to the ‘Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES)’ guidelines. A one-page survey included details about sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, profession, education of parents and others) sources of information, questions related to parental SM practices for their children (SM practices, common illnesses, drugs used as SM practices and drug-related information) and the reasons behind SM practices were disseminated via social media networks (Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook) to eligible participants. Online sample size calculator was used, and snow-ball sampling was employed during the study. The final automatic responses from Google Forms were retrieved as ‘Excel datasheet’ and then cleaned, coded and imported into the SPSS statistical tool (v.25.0).

Key findings

This study included a total of 370 participants (response rate of 95.4%). Parental SM practices were revealed to be more (n = 234; 63.5%) prevalent. The most frequent problems for parents who follow SM practices were fever (39.5%; n = 146) and abdominal pain (23.8%; n = 88). The most commonly used class of drugs was antipyretics followed by analgesics and antibiotics. The main reasons for SM practices were personal experience in treating children (n = 186; 50.3%) and high consultation charges (n = 72; 19.5%). Mother working status and parental educational level were two main factors found to be statistically associated with SM practices (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of parental SM practices was high. There is an urgent need for the parental educational program, the development of national policies about rational medicine usage and durable actions to discourage SM practices.

Perspectives of Immigrants and Native Dutch on Antibiotic Use: A Qualitative Study

Immigrants constitute large proportions of the population in many high-income countries. Knowledge about their perceptions of antibiotics, in comparison to native populations, is limited. We explored these perceptions by organizing nine homogeneous focus group discussions (FGDs) with first-generation immigrant and native Dutch participants (N = 64) from Rotterdam and Utrecht, who were recruited with the assistance of immigrant (community support) organizations. The FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analyses were performed with the qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti, using open and axial coding. We did not find noteworthy differences between immigrants and native Dutch participants; all participants had an overall reluctant attitude towards antibiotics. Within-group differences were larger than between-group differences. In each FGD there were, for instance, participants who adopted an assertive stance in order to receive antibiotics, who had low antibiotic-related knowledge, or who used antibiotics incorrectly. Native Dutch participants expressed similar difficulties as immigrant participants in the communication with their GP, which mainly related to time constraints. Immigrants who encountered language barriers experienced even greater communicational difficulties and reported that they often feel embarrassed and refrain from asking questions. To stimulate more prudent use of antibiotics, more attention is needed for supportive multilingual patient materials. In addition, GPs need to adjust their information, guidance, and communication for the individual’s needs, regardless of the patient’s migration background.

How Socioeconomic, Health Seeking Behaviours, and Educational Factors Are Affecting the Knowledge and Use of Antibiotics in Four Different Cities in Asia

Antibiotic resistance is occurring widely throughout the world and is affecting people of all ages. Socioeconomic factors, education, use of antibiotics, knowledge of antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance were assessed in four cities in Asia, namely Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Bangkok. A survey using cluster sampling was used in 2021 to collect data on 642 subjects. Hongkongers used less antibiotics and were knowledgeable about using antibiotics to treat diseases, while Shanghainese were knowledgeable about antibiotic resistance. The multi-linear regression model reported that respondents who lived in Hong Kong (β = 0.744 (95% CI: 0.36-1.128), Shanghai (β = 1.65 (95% CI: 1.267-2.032), and Hangzhou (β = 1.393 (95% CI: 0.011-1.775) (reference group: Bangkok), who had higher scores on antibiotics knowledge (β = 0.161 (95% CI: 0.112-0.21)), higher educational attainment (β = 0.46 (95% CI: 0.296-0.625)), and who were more likely to consult a doctor on using antibiotics (β = 1.102 (95% CI: 0.606-1.598)), were more likely to give correct answers about antibiotic resistance, p < 0.001. Older respondents were less likely to answer the items correctly (β = -0.194 (95% CI: -0.333--0.055), p < 0.01. When educating the public on the proper use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, multiple strategies could be considered for people from all walks of life, as well as target different age groups.