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Special Issue "Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities"

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A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2023 | Viewed by 3128

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Prof. Dr. Timo Juhani Lajunen

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
Interests: antibiotic use in community; cultural differences; behavioural change; personality; attitudes; risk
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the ten most important global public health threats facing humanity. The main drivers in the development of AMR are the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in the community. Inappropriate prescription practices among local physicians, the availability of over-the-counter antibiotics in pharmacies, and self-medication with antibiotics among community members are some of the main causes of inappropriate antibiotic use and the increase in AMR.

The Special Issue, “Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities”, focuses on the ambulatory use of antibiotics, i.e., how antibiotics are prescribed, distributed, and used in the community. Papers addressing a wide range of topics related to antibiotic use in the community among humans are welcome. These can include, for example, topics such as antibiotic stewardship, including prescription practices and control, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors among healthcare personnel and community members, as well as sociocultural and economic factors related to antibiotic use. Cross-country comparative studies are especially welcome. The studies can be based on any form of research design, from quantitative to qualitative studies and macrolevel indicators. Studies based on only pharmacological or hospital-based data, or not involving human antibiotic use, are not within the scope of this Special Issue.

We kindly invite original research articles as well as review papers.

Prof. Dr. Timo Juhani Lajunen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

community
ambulatory antibiotic use
antibiotic stewardship
behavior
knowledge
beliefs

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Antibiotics Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours among the Population Living in Cyprus

and

Antibiotics 2023, 12(5), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12050897 - 12 May 2023

Viewed by 610

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics among the general public living in the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by using an online questionnaire. Differences were examined using independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests and Spearman’s rho. In total, 519 individuals completed the survey (RoC = 267, TRNC = 252), with an average age of 32.7, and 52.2% were female. Most citizens correctly identified paracetamol (TRNC = 93.7%, RoC = 53.9%) and ibuprofen (TRNC = 70.2%, RoC = 47.6%) as non-antibiotic medications. A substantial proportion thought antibiotics could treat viral infections, such as a cold (TRNC = 16.3%, RoC = 40.8%) or the flu (TRNC = 21.4%, RoC = 50.4%). Most participants understood that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics (TRNC = 71.4%, RoC = 64.4%), that unnecessary use can lead to drug ineffectiveness (TRNC = 86.1%, RoC = 72.3%) and that they should always complete the course of antibiotics (TRNC = 85.7%, RoC = 64.0%). Positive attitudes towards antibiotics correlated negatively with knowledge in both samples, indicating that the more people know, the less positive their attitudes towards their use. The RoC appears to have tighter controls of over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antibiotics than TRNC. This study reveals that different communities can have varying levels of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about antibiotic use. Tighter enforcement of the OTC regulations, educational efforts and media campaigns are needed for enhancing prudent antibiotic use on the island. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities)

Open AccessArticle

General Perceptions and Knowledge of Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Use Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Adults

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Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040672 - 29 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 651

Abstract

This study aimed to assess understanding of antibiotic resistance and evaluate antibiotic use themes among the general public. In March 2018, respondents that were ≥21 years old and residing in the United States were recruited from ResearchMatch.org and surveyed to collect data on respondent expectations, knowledge, and opinions regarding prescribing antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Content analysis was used to code open-ended definitions of antibiotic resistance into central themes. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences between the definitions of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use. Among the 657 respondents, nearly all (99%) had taken an antibiotic previously. When asked to define antibiotic resistance, the definitions provided were inductively coded into six central themes: 35% bacteria adaptation, 22% misuse/overuse, 22% resistant bacteria, 10% antibiotic ineffectiveness, 7% body immunity, and 3% provided an incorrect definition with no consistent theme. Themes that were identified in respondent definitions of resistance significantly differed between those who reported having shared an antibiotic versus those who had not (p = 0.03). Public health campaigns remain a central component in the fight to combat antibiotic resistance. Future campaigns should address the public’s understanding of antibiotic resistance and modifiable behaviors that may contribute to resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities)

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Prescriptions of Systemic Antibiotics in Primary Dental Care in Germany from 2017 to 2021: A Longitudinal Drug Utilization Study

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Antibiotics 2022, 11(12), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121723 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 725

Abstract

(1) Background: Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, the frequency of antibiotic use should be questioned in dentistry and attention paid to the choice of the best suited substance according to guidelines. In Germany, overprescribing of clindamycin was noteworthy in the past. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the trend of antibiotic prescriptions in primary dental care. (2) Methods: Prescriptions of antibiotics in German primary dental care from 2017 to 2021 were analysed using dispensing data from community pharmacies, claimed to the statutory health insurance (SHI) funds, and compared with all antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. Prescriptions were analysed based on defined daily doses per 1000 SHI-insured persons per day (DID). (3) Results: Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (0.505 DID in 2017, 0.627 in 2021, +24.2%) in primary dental care, followed by clindamycin (0.374 DID in 2017, 0.294 in 2021, −21.4%). Dental prescriptions still made up 56% of all clindamycin prescriptions in primary care in 2021. (4) Conclusions: Our study suggests that the problem of overuse of clindamycin in German dentistry has improved, but still persists. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities)

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Open AccessArticle

Perspectives of Immigrants and Native Dutch on Antibiotic Use: A Qualitative Study

Dominique L. A. Lescure

Alike W. van der Velden

Natascha Huijser van Reenen

Jan Hendrik Richardus

and

Helene A. C. M. Voeten

Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091179 - 31 Aug 2022

Viewed by 814

Abstract

Immigrants constitute large proportions of the population in many high-income countries. Knowledge about their perceptions of antibiotics, in comparison to native populations, is limited. We explored these perceptions by organizing nine homogeneous focus group discussions (FGDs) with first-generation immigrant and native Dutch participants (N = 64) from Rotterdam and Utrecht, who were recruited with the assistance of immigrant (community support) organizations. The FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analyses were performed with the qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti, using open and axial coding. We did not find noteworthy differences between immigrants and native Dutch participants; all participants had an overall reluctant attitude towards antibiotics. Within-group differences were larger than between-group differences. In each FGD there were, for instance, participants who adopted an assertive stance in order to receive antibiotics, who had low antibiotic-related knowledge, or who used antibiotics incorrectly. Native Dutch participants expressed similar difficulties as immigrant participants in the communication with their GP, which mainly related to time constraints. Immigrants who encountered language barriers experienced even greater communicational difficulties and reported that they often feel embarrassed and refrain from asking questions. To stimulate more prudent use of antibiotics, more attention is needed for supportive multilingual patient materials. In addition, GPs need to adjust their information, guidance, and communication for the individual’s needs, regardless of the patient’s migration background. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Antibiotic Use in the Communities)

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