Consumer knowledge and perceptions about antibiotics and upper respiratory tract infections in a community pharmacy

Abstract

This study confirms a lack of knowledge among consumers about the efficacy of antibiotics in treating viral infections despite education campaigns. The findings strongly suggest there is a need for pharmacists and other health care professionals to elicit consumer beliefs and understanding about antibiotics and to tailor their advice appropriately.

Homeopathy in the Age of Antimicrobial Resistance: Is It a Viable Treatment for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?

“…In one Australian consumer study, over one-third of the 252 participants thought that taking antibiotics when suffering from a cold or flu would lead to more rapid recovery, while nearly one-fifth considered antibiotics as a cure for viral infections. 43 Links have been established between antibiotic use and paediatric asthma 44,45 and eczema 46 and less common but grave physical and psychoactive side effects associated with particular antibiotics. The class of antibiotics fluoroquinolones is known to cause tendonitis, central nervous system (CNS) effects, peripheral neuropathy, 47 and juvenile fluoroquinolone-induced joint/cartilage toxicity.…”

Addressing the diverging public and physician perceptions on the topic of antibiotic resistance

“…7 From their perspective, antibiotic resistance develops not due to mutations in bacteria but the human body gradually mounting tolerance, meaning every antibiotic can only be used for a limited time period before it becomes obsolete. The above observations have been replicated in many other studies as well, [8][9][10] suggesting that we are still far from reaching an adequate understanding in the general populace, and initiatives designed to raise greater awareness in this subject area should be more extensively implemented and promoted.…”

‘Repeat’ prescriptions and antibiotic resistance: findings from Australian community pharmacy

“…Fredericks et al . recently identified that some consumers have a tendency to self‐diagnose and are misinformed about the efficacy of antibiotics; these traits may contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use.…”

“…Despite ongoing national educational campaigns, some Australians are still confused about the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy . Inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes resistance .…”

“…Suboptimal prescribing frequently occurs in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) . A common misconception among consumers in Australia and elsewhere is that antibiotics will reduce the duration of the common cold and influenza . Some doctors may perceive that a patient expects to receive a prescription during a consultation while others may use the issuing of a prescription as a means to close a consultation; both can lead to unnecessary prescribing .…”