What Do Patients Know About Antibiotics?

Chandler, Dianne; Dugdale, A. E.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(76)92443-0

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Studies overseas have also found misconceptions and lack of knowledge about antibiotics. For example, 8% of people interviewed in 1976 thought aspirin was an antibiotic 12 and only half of the respondents in another knew that codeine was not an antibiotic and some thought Robitussin was an antibiotic. 13 The interviews reported here are part of a larger study looking at knowledge and use of antibiotics amongst Samoan people in Samoa and New Zealand.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Misunderstandings about antibiotics are common in a wide range of populations studied. [12][13][14][15] This study aimed to investigate understandings and use of antibiotics amongst Samoans in New Zealand. It did not aim to compare the level of knowledge of Samoans and non-Samoans in New Zealand, nor does it assume that Samoans have lower levels of knowledge than other New Zealanders.…”

Section: What Gap This Fillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding and use of antibiotics amongst Samoan people in New Zealand

Norris¹,

Churchward²,

Fa'alau³

et al. 2009

J Prim Health Care

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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

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Gap This Fillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and use of antibiotics amongst Samoan people in New Zealand

Norris¹,

Churchward²,

Fa'alau³

et al. 2009

J Prim Health Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These papers describe the extraordinary extent to which the instinct for hoarding medicines has developed in modern man. Hayes et al (1976) (Chandler & Dugdale, 1976;Downs, 1977). Despite suggestions as to how this situation can be remedied (Ryan, 19677;Report, 1977), the question has not been settled satisfactorily (Cromie, 1980).…”

Section: Self Medicationmentioning

confidence: 99%