Aussie antibiotic confusion
November 15, 2012
A LARGE portion of the Australian
population are not aware that
taking antibiotics incorrectly or
inappropriately accelerates the
spread of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria throughout the
community, according to NPS.
The statement comes on the back
of new research which coincides
with Antibiotic Awareness Week
this week.
The research involved a survey of
1,019 Australians which revealed
that the message that antibiotic
resistance is a problem is reaching
the public, with 68% of
respondents saying that they know
that bacteria are becoming
resistant to antibiotics (an 18%
increase in public awareness of the
issue over a six month period).
Meanwhile in terms of causal
knowledge, just over half of
respondents (52%) said that they
were aware that failing to complete
a course of antibiotics directly
contributes to the spread of
antibiotic resistance, whilst only
one in three knew that not
completing a full course of
antibiotics may mean they won't
work for them in future.
In addition 63% of people
surveyed recognised that taking
antibiotics when they are not
needed contributes to the spread
of resistance, and more than half
(57%) didn’t realise that antibiotics
don't treat viruses.
The survey also revealed that
many Aussies don’t understand
which illnesses can be treated by
antibiotics, with one in five
believing that antibiotics kill both
viruses and bacteria.
Less than one in three also
reported knowing that colds and
most coughs are caused by viruses
only, whilst around half (52%) were
unsure as to whether viruses or
bacteria are the cause of colds and
most coughs.
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