Antibiotic Resistance in Trinidad: A population-based survey of adults

Abstract

Objectives: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a growing public health issue globally. This study aimed to ascertain the public’s knowledge of antibiotic resistance and to determine any associated demographic factors. Method: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Trinidad using a modified version of a World Health Organization questionnaire. Five hundred and fifty participants aged 16 years and older were interviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS Version-22. Results: The response rate was 91% (502/550). Most responders (53%) reported having taken antibiotics during the 6-month period prior to the survey. Almost 60% of responders believed that sore throat and colds/flu can be treated with antibiotics. Sixty-seven percent of responders believed that they had no individual role in combating the issue. Responders with a primary level education or older respondents were more likely than responders with a higher level of education or younger to agree that antibiotic resistance only affects those who use antibiotics frequently (p= 0.002 and p=0.017 respectively). Income level was also significantly associated with knowledge levels, the higher the income the more knowledgeable the responder. Conclusion: Our study found that public knowledge of antibiotic resistance is low. Age, income and educational levels were significantly associated with certain knowledge parameters. Much work needs to be done to change the attitudes of responders who believe they have no role to play in the fight against this national and global threat. These findings may be useful to health education professionals and government antimicrobial resistance programmes.

A national online survey of Filipinos' knowledge, attitude, and awareness of antibiotic use and resistance: A cross‐sectional study

“…Patients receiving a particular antibiotic may experience its side effects regardless of whether they have an allergy to that antibiotic. The overwhelming majority of the surveyed participants in the study of Ali et al 24 and Milani et al 41 understand that antibiotics should only be used when prescribed and that physicians should only prescribe when necessary, which is similar to our findings, where 95.4% understand that antibiotics should only be used with a doctor's prescription.…”

“…Corollary to our findings, Raupach‐Rosin et al 16 revealed that having a college degree, working as a healthcare worker, and obtaining information from sources such as the internet and newspapers all predict an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about antibiotic use. A study in Trinidad and Tobago discovered that educational attainment is a predictor of antibiotic use, 24 correlating with our findings. Individuals who are more educated are more aware that an antibiotic‐resistant infection cannot occur if they follow their doctor's antibiotic prescription 24 .…”

“…A study in Trinidad and Tobago discovered that educational attainment is a predictor of antibiotic use, 24 correlating with our findings. Individuals who are more educated are more aware that an antibiotic‐resistant infection cannot occur if they follow their doctor's antibiotic prescription 24 . Antibiotic use can be predicted by geographic location and educational attainment, 59 crediting our findings.…”

“…In a 2017 study in the Philippines, most Filipinos clearly understood antibiotic use for bacterial infections 20 . Regrettably, Filipinos, 20 Malaysians, 19 and Trinidadians 24 also mistakenly believed that antibiotics might be used to cure viral diseases like the common cold and cough. Furthermore, most participants are unaware that antibiotics have side effects and that even those not allergic to antibiotics are not immune to their side effects 20 .…”

“…6,10 Several factors and reasons contribute to a lack of knowledge and awareness about antibiotic use, including illiteracy, doctors failing to offer adequate instructions and noncompliance with provided instructions. 11,12 Published studies on antibiotic knowledge regarding use and resistance in several countries, including Cyprus, 13 Ethiopia, 14 Italy, 15 Germany, 16 Ghana, 10,17 Kosovo, 18 Malaysia, 19 Nepal, 12 Philippines, 20 Singapore, 11,21 Netherlands, 22 Thailand, 8,23 and Trinidad and Tobago 24 ; all correlate it with age, sex, higher educational attainment, and employment as their predictors.…”