Public awareness and individual responsibility needed for judicious use of antibiotics: a qualitative study of public beliefs and perceptions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High consumption of antibiotics has been identified as an important driver for the increasing antibiotic resistance, considered to be one of the greatest threats to public health globally. Simply informing the public about this consequence is insufficient to induce behavioral change. This study explored beliefs and perceptions among Swedes, with the aim of identifying factors promoting and hindering a judicious approach to antibiotics use. The study focused primarily on the medical use of antibiotics, also considering other aspects connected with antibiotic resistance, such as travelling and food consumption.

Methods

Data were collected through focus group discussions at the end of 2016. Twenty-three Swedes were recruited using an area-based approach and purposive

SUBMITTER: Ancillotti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6171135 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature