Understanding and use of antibiotics amongst Samoan people in New Zealand

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Use of antibiotics is high in Samoa and this may affect the expectations and patterns of antibiotic use of Samoans in New Zealand. AIM: This study examined the understanding and reported use of antibiotics amongst Samoans in New Zealand. METHODS: In-depth interviews were held with 13 Samoans in New Zealand. These interviews were analysed and used to develop a questionnaire that was administered to 112 Samoans attending health care facilities in New Zealand. RESULTS: Many participants had little understanding of antibiotics. Less than 2% identified the correct purpose for antibiotics, and 66% thought they were used to relieve pain. Respondents regarded a wide range of medicines (including some which they regularly took) as antibiotics. They frequently attributed colds and flu to environmental conditions (96%), and regarded antibiotics as a useful treatment for them (81%). They reported stopping taking antibiotics before finishing the course. Very few (8%) were aware of antibiotic resistance. DISCUSSION: Health care practitioners cannot assume that patients share a Western scientific understanding of which illnesses are caused by microbes, or what antibiotics are or do. People may have significant confusion about the medicines they take. Samoans, whether they are born in New Zealand or not, may hold traditional Samoan views about health and illness. KEYWORDS: Antibiotics, lay knowledge, URTI (upper respiratory tract infections), Samoa, New Zealand

Knowledge and Attitude towards Antibiotic Use among College Students in Jatinangor

“…Another possible factor that could explain self-medication is the economic aspect, that is to save the clinicians fees. 15 This fits with another study conducted by Buke et al 16 which stated that knowledge regarding antibiotic usage cannot be evaluated alone since it is not always correlated with behavior.…”

“…1,3 Interestingly, from this study most of the respondents (72%) knew that overused of antibiotics could lead to antibiotic resistance, this finding was comparable with a survey in Portugal 8 which reported that 70% of respondents knew that inappropriate use of antibiotics could lead to antibiotic resistance, and which was also comparable with a survey in Yogyakarta. 10 In contrast, a study in New Zealand 15 showed just a few (8%) respondents were aware that misused of antibiotics could cause resistance.…”

Ethnic differences of medicines-taking in older adults: a cross cultural study in New Zealand

“…It has previously been reported that certain ethnic groups, namely Māori and Pacific peoples, are less consistent with medicines‐taking [19,20] than other groups, however this study highlighted that most participants felt that they coped well with managing their medicines and were consistent with their regimens. In terms of medicines management, this study found that most Māori and Pacific participants managed their medication in similar ways as participants from other ethnic groups.…”

“…In NZ, however, despite the recent diversity in population, little research has been undertaken to explore ethnic differences in the use of medicines. There are some data to show that Māori and Pacific peoples have more problems with medication than NZ‐born Europeans, most commonly non‐adherence (33%) [19] and differences of understanding in the use of antibiotics within the NZ Samoan population have been documented [20] . Thus, if healthcare professionals are to effectively support patients in their use of medicines, and to optimise medication adherence, they need to become more ‘culturally aware’ and to develop cultural competence [21] .…”

Knowledge and reported use of antibiotics amongst school-teachers in New Zealand

“…Minor modifications were made to a questionnaire used in previous studies 12,13. The first part of the questionnaire did not assume that participants know what antibiotics are.…”