Australian Consumer Attitudes Towards Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

Research by Research Now for NPS MedicineWise in June 2012.

In 2012, NPS MedicineWise launched a five-year campaign to promote the better use of antibiotics and combat the spread of antibiotic resistance in the Australian community. As part of this national campaign for consumers and health professionals, we commissioned research into consumer attitudes towards antibiotics and antibiotic-resistance.

More Australians realise that antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.

• 68% of people surveyed know that bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
• This represents an 18% increase in public awareness of this issue over a 6 month period.

...but many parents still don't recognize the problem

• 56% of parents with children under five know that bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
• This represents only a 6% increase in awareness of this issue over a 6 month period.

Most parents don't know how their own behavior contributes the spread of resistance and increases individual risk

• Just 35% of parents of children under five know that not completing a full course of antibiotics as directed contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
• 1 in 3 parents with children under 5 think that taking antibiotics when they are not needed will not contribute to the spread of antibiotics resistance.
• Only 28% of parents of children under five know that not completing a full course of antibiotics may mean they won't work for them in future.

Many parents don't understand which illnesses can be treated with antibiotics.

• Only half of parents with children under five (57%) agree that antibiotics kill bacteria only.
• 32% of parents with children under five think that antibiotics do kill viruses, while 10% are unsure.
• Only 41% of parents with children under five agree that they should not take antibiotics to kill viruses.

Many parents expect or ask to be prescribed antibiotics for coughs, colds, and ear, nose, throat and chest infections (ENT/CI).

• 18% of parents surveyed expect the GP to prescribe antibiotics when their child has a cough of cold.
• 80% of parents with children under five expect to be prescribed antibiotics whey they have an ear, nose, throat or chest infection.