scholarly journals Reducing demand for antibiotic prescriptions: evidence from an online survey of the general public on the interaction between preferences, beliefs and information, United Kingdom, 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence S J Roope ◽  
Sarah Tonkin-Crine ◽  
Christopher C Butler ◽  
Derrick Crook ◽  
Tim Peto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Time Preferences ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Paradoxical Consequence

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major public health threat, is strongly associated with human antibiotic consumption. Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) account for substantial inappropriate antibiotic use; patient understanding and expectations probably play an important role. Aim: This study aimed to investigate what drives patient expectations of antibiotics for ILI and particularly whether AMR awareness, risk preferences (attitudes to taking risks with health) or time preferences (the extent to which people prioritise good health today over good health in the future) play a role. Methods: In 2015, a representative online panel survey of 2,064 adults in the United Kingdom was asked about antibiotic use and effectiveness for ILI. Explanatory variables in multivariable regression included AMR awareness, risk and time preferences and covariates. Results: The tendency not to prioritise immediate gain over later reward was independently strongly associated with greater awareness that antibiotics are inappropriate for ILI. Independently, believing antibiotics were effective for ILI and low AMR awareness significantly predicted reported antibiotic use. However, 272 (39%) of those with low AMR awareness said that the AMR information we provided would lead them to ask a doctor for antibiotics more often, significantly more than would do so less often, and in contrast to those with high AMR awareness (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Information campaigns to reduce AMR may risk a paradoxical consequence of actually increasing public demand for antibiotics. Public antibiotic stewardship campaigns should be tested on a small scale before wider adoption.

scholarly journals Awareness of Appropriate Antibiotic Use in Primary Care for Influenza-Like Illness: Evidence of Improvement from UK Population-Based Surveys

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 690
Author(s):  
Koen B. Pouwels ◽  
Laurence S. J. Roope ◽  
James Buchanan ◽  
Liz Morrell ◽  
Sarah Tonkin-Crine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Population Based ◽  
White People ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Minority Ethnic ◽  
Representative Samples

Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) account for a significant portion of inappropriate antibiotic use. Patient expectations for antibiotics for ILI are likely to play a substantial role in ‘unnecessary’ antibiotic consumption. This study aimed to investigate trends in awareness of appropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Three sequential online surveys of independent representative samples of adults in the United Kingdom investigated expectations for, and consumption of, antibiotics for ILI (May/June 2015 (n = 2064); Oct/Nov 2016 (n = 4000); Mar 2017 (n = 4000)). Respondents were asked whether they thought antibiotics were effective for ILI and about their antibiotic use. Proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each question and interactions with respondent characteristics were tested using logistic regression. Over the three surveys, the proportion of respondents who believed antibiotics would “definitely/probably” help an ILI fell from 37% (95% CI 35–39%) to 28% (95% CI 26–29%). Those who would “definitely/probably” visit a doctor in this situation fell from 48% (95% CI 46–50%) to 36% (95% CI 34–37%), while those who would request antibiotics during a consultation fell from 39% (95% CI 37–41%) to 30% (95% CI 29–32%). The percentage of respondents who found the information we provided about AMR “new/surprising” fell from 34% (95% CI 32–36%) to 28% (95% CI 26–31%). Awareness improved more among black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) than white people, with little other evidence of differences in improvements between subgroups. Whilst a degree of selection bias is unavoidable in online survey samples, the results suggest that awareness of AMR and appropriate antibiotic use has recently significantly improved in the United Kingdom, according to a wide range of indicators.

scholarly journals Association between Health Practice and Food Stockpiling for Disaster

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Moeka Harada ◽  
Rie Kobayashi ◽  
Jun Oka ◽  
Nobuyo Tsuboyama-Kasaoka
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Food Shortage ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Good Score

In this study investigated the association between health practices and food stockpiling for disasters in predicted areas with a high risk of food shortage due to the Nankai Trough earthquake. A survey was conducted during 18–20 December 2019 using a self-administered web-based questionnaire. In total, 1200 individuals registered with an online survey company participated in the study. The association between health practices and food stockpiling status was analyzed (n = 998). 59.1% of participants had a poor Breslow’s seven health practice scores (BHPS), 32.9% had a moderate score, and 8.0% had a good score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that higher BHPS had a significantly higher prevalence of food stockpiling. Additionally, the interrupted group had the highest percentage of participants with low BHPS. Lower BHPS was significantly associated with interrupted stockpiled in the adjusted models. Among the seven health practices, the odds ratio of the “eating breakfast” practice was high. There was a significant positive association between higher health practice scores and food stockpiling for disasters in areas with a high risk of food shortage due to the predicted earthquake. Particularly, it was clarified that individuals who had fewer good health practices were associated with ending up interrupting food stockpiling.

scholarly journals Online survey into developing a model for a legal cannabis market in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205032452110349
Author(s):  
Edward James ◽  
Thomas L Robertshaw ◽  
Michael J Pascoe ◽  
Fiona M Chapman ◽  
Andrew D Westwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Individual Liberty ◽  
The United Kingdom

Background Despite rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule 2 and amendments to the law permitting legal availability of cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions, access to cannabis for medical use remains challenging for patients in the United Kingdom (UK). Recreational use is widespread despite laws stating users can be sentenced to prison for up to 5 years for possession. Objective The aim of the study was to develop a model for a legal cannabis market in the UK building upon the results of a preceding study in which a UK population sample determined that pharmacies are the most suitable primary legal vendor of cannabis as opposed to regulated shops or the black market. Methods An online survey was developed using Qualtrics software and advertised via the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts and monthly newsletter. Results Three hundred and ninety seven individuals, a majority having used cannabis at least once, consented to participate in the study. The participants concluded that there is enough evidence for cannabis to be prescribed to treat a range of medical conditions. In addition to pharmacies providing cannabis to patients with a prescription, a majority of participants supported cannabis being sold in pharmacies for harm reduction purposes and allowing access to medicinal cannabis in cases where supporting evidence is insufficient to merit a prescription. Participants supported greater integration between dispensing pharmacies and mental health services. Overall, the participants did not oppose a consultation or screening for potential cannabis users prior to obtaining access from licensed vendors. UK participants were supportive of the concept of a cannabis card, which users can present to licensed vendors such as pharmacies, with specific recommendations (such as strains relevant to a patient’s medical condition) being coded into the card. A majority of participants supported the existence of shisha-type bars for the purchase and onsite consumption of cannabis and determined that such vendors should not be part of a pharmacy chain of stores or regulated by pharmacy regulators. The participants generally preferred that laws regarding public consumption are in line with existing smoking legislation. Participants determined that it should be legally permitted to grow cannabis at home for personal medical and non-medical purposes but not to sell for profit. Conclusion The results are suggestive of a regulatory system that medical and non-medical cannabis users can use which aims to maximise therapeutic applications, minimise harms and respect individual liberty.

scholarly journals Informing the development of a standardised approach to measure antibiotic use in secondary care: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e026792
Author(s):  
Selina Patel ◽  
Arnoupe Jhass ◽  
Susan Hopkins ◽  
Laura Shallcross
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Care ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption Surveillance

IntroductionEcological and individual-level evidence indicates that there is an association between level of antibiotic exposure and the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The Global Point Prevalence Survey in 2015 estimated that 34.4% of hospital inpatients globally received at least one antimicrobial. Antimicrobial stewardship to optimise antibiotic use in secondary care can reduce the high risk of patients acquiring and transmitting drug-resistant infections in this setting. However, differences in the availability of data on antibiotic use in this context make it difficult to develop a consensus of how to comparably monitor antibiotic prescribing patterns across secondary care. This review will aim to document and critically evaluate methods and measures to monitor antibiotic use in secondary care.Methods and analysisWe will search Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and websites of key organisations for published reports where an attempt to measure antibiotic usage among adult inpatients in high-income hospital settings has been made. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies for eligibility, extract data and assess the study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A description of the methods and measures used in antibiotic consumption surveillance will be presented. An adaptation of the Affordability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Acceptability, Side-effects Equity framework will be used to consider the practicality of implementing different approaches to measuring antibiotic usage in secondary care settings. A descriptive comparison of definitions and estimates of (in)appropriate antibiotic usage will also be carried out.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this study as no primary data will be collected. The results will be published in relevant peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences or meetings where possible. This review will inform future approaches to scale up antibiotic consumption surveillance strategies to attempt to maximise impact through standardisation.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018103375

scholarly journals Staphylococcus aureus - selective reporting of antibiogram results and its impact on antibiotic use: Interventional study with a reference group on the effect of switching from non-selective to selective antibiotic reporting

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Lestin-Bernstein ◽  
Ramona Harberg ◽  
Ingo Schumacher ◽  
Lutz Briedigkeit ◽  
Oliver Heese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Selective Reporting ◽  
Beta Lactams ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Patient Level ◽  
Narrow Spectrum ◽  
Bed Days ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies worldwide focus on optimising the use of antibiotics. Selective susceptibility reporting is recommended as an effective AMS tool although there is a lack of representative studies investigating the impact of selective susceptibility reporting on antibiotic use. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of selective susceptibility reporting of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on antibiotic consumption. Enhancing the use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics such as flucloxacillin/cefazolin/cefalexin is one of the main goals in optimising antibiotic therapy of S. aureus infections. Methods This interventional study with control group was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Germany. During the one-year interventional period susceptibility reports for all methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were restricted to flucloxacillin/cefazolin/cefalexin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, gentamicin and rifampin/fosfomycin, instead of reporting all tested antibiotics. The impact of implementing selective reporting was analysed by monitoring total monthly antibiotic consumption in our hospital and in a reference hospital (recommended daily dose/100 occupied bed days: RDD/100 BD), as well as on an individual patient level by analysing days of therapy adjusted for bed days (DOT/ 100 BD) for patients with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) and respectively skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Results MSSA-antibiograms were acquired for 2836 patients. The total use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactams more than doubled after implementing selective reporting (from 1.2 to 2.8 RDD/100 BD, P < 0.001). The use of intravenous flucloxacillin/cefazolin for SAB rose significantly from 52 to 75 DOT/100 BD (plus 42%), just as the use of oral cefalexin for SSTI (from 1.4 to 9.4 DOT/100 BD, from 3 to 17 of 85/88 patients). Considering the overall consumption, there was no decrease in antibiotics omitted from the antibiogram. This was probably due to their wide use for other infections. Conclusions As narrow-spectrum beta-lactams are not widely used for other infections, their increase in the overall consumption of the entire hospital was a strong indicator that selective reporting guided clinicians to an optimised antibiotic therapy of S. aureus infections. On a patient level, this assumption was verified by a significant improved treatment of S. aureus infections in the subgroups of SAB and SSTI. As useful AMS tool, we recommend implementing selective reporting rules into the national/international standards for susceptibility reporting.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus Aureus: Selective Reporting of Antibiogram Results and Its Impact on Antibiotic Use. Interventional Study with a Reference Group on the Effect of Switching from Non-Selective to Selective Antibiotic Reporting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Lestin-Bernstein ◽  
Ramona Harberg ◽  
Ingo Schumacher ◽  
Lutz Briedigkeit ◽  
Oliver Heese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Selective Reporting ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Beta Lactams ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Narrow Spectrum ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background:Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies worldwide focus on optimised antibiotic use. Selective susceptibility reporting is recommended as an effective AMS tool, although there is a lack of representative studies investigating the impact of selective susceptibility reporting on antibiotic use.The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of selective susceptibility reporting of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on antibiotic consumption. Enhancing the use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics such as flucloxacillin/cefazolin/cefalexin is one of the main goals in optimising antibiotic therapy of S. aureus infections.Methods:This interventional study with control group was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Germany. During the one-year interventional period, susceptibility reports for all methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were restricted to flucloxacillin/cefazolin/oral cefalexin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, gentamicin and rifampin/fosfomycin; instead of reporting all tested antibiotics during the year before the intervention and in the reference clinic. The impact of the intervention was analysed by monitoring antibiotic consumption (recommended daily dose/100 occupied bed days: RDD/100 BD).Results:MSSA-antibiograms were reported for 2836 patients. Total use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactams more than doubled during the intervention (from 1.2 to 2.8 RDD/100 BD, P<0.001; P<0.001 compared to the reference clinic); the percentage of total antibiotic use increased from 2.6% to 6.2%. A slight, but significant increase in the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was also observed (+ 0.37 RDD/100 BD).There was no decrease in antibiotics withdrawn from the antibiogram, probably as a consequence of their wide use for indications other than S. aureus infections.Conclusions:As narrow-spectrum beta-lactams are not widely used for other infections, there is a strong indication that selective reporting guided clinicians to optimised antibiotic therapy of S. aureus infections.As useful AMS tool, we recommend implementing selective reporting rules into the national/international standards for susceptibility reporting.

scholarly journals Features of Physical Activity of Russian and Foreign Students: Motivators, Barriers, Self-Esteem

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-865
Author(s):  
Evgeni L. Nikolaev ◽  
Igor E. Poverinov
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Regional University

Introduction. Intense physical activity is associated with good health and wellbeing of an individual, and its manifestations in students can have gender and socio-cultural features. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of physical activity of Russian and foreign students of a regional university through the assessment of its motivators, barriers and interrelation with self-esteem indicators, the knowledge of which can be used as the basis for creating personalized preventive health promotion programs. Materials and Methods. An online survey among 423 Russian and foreign students of a regional university was conducted using the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire using the Ashton Motivators and Barriers Scale and the modified method of Dembo – Rubinstein. The data obtained were statistically processed with the calculation of Student’s t-test, chi-square, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. It has been revealed that two-thirds of the respondents have an optimal level of physical activity, and its motivators (the desire to improve health, physical shape, and body) and barriers (lack of time) are universal. Russian female university students surpass foreign ones in terms of the duration of physical activities, and foreign girls are inferior to foreign young men in terms of the frequency of classes. Barriers specific to Russian girls have been identified: Inappropriate weather and the belief that physical activity is not a right occupation for women. Russian young men have mentioned the lack of conditions for training as a barrier. The difference between Russian young men and foreign ones is that foreigners find positive correlation between physical activity, confidence, and physical attractiveness. Discussion and Conclusion. The results obtained may be useful for teaching personnel of university departments of physical education, medical and psychological services, and student self-government organizations. It is recommended that university prevention programs be gender-specific, culturally oriented, aimed at neutralizing the system of internal and social barriers to attending classes, and based on the student's self-esteem potential.

scholarly journals Antibiotics stewardship in Ghana: a cross-sectional study of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Jimah ◽  
Ama P. Fenny ◽  
Oladele Ogunseitan
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Inappropriate Medication ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Individual Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance is a major contributing factor to global morbidity and mortality and is associated with inappropriate medication use. However, the level of antibiotic consumption and knowledge about antibiotic resistance in Ghana is inadequately quantified. Our study identifies strategies for improved stewardship of antibiotics to prevent the proliferation of resistant pathogens by assessing the level of antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviors by region, gender, age, and education in rural and urban Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 communities in the urban Greater Accra and rural Upper West regions of Ghana. A questionnaire survey was administered to 400 individuals aged 18 years and older in selected locations during September-October 2018 to gather data on individual knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the association between demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and related behaviors. Results Over 30% (125/400) had not received a doctor’s prescription during their last illness. Seventy percent (278/400) had taken at least one antibiotic in the year prior to the survey. The top five frequently used antibiotics were Amoxicillin , Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid , Ampicillin , Ciprofloxacin , and Metronidazole . Women and older adults had higher knowledge compared to their respective counterparts (p<0.01). Furthermore, prudent antibiotic use was significantly more prevalent in women than men (p<0.05). Although no regional differences were found in overall knowledge, compared to urban residents, individuals residing in rural settings exhibited higher knowledge about the ineffectiveness of antibiotics for viruses like the cold and HIV/AIDS (p<0.001). Two hundred and fifty-two (63%) respondents were unaware of antibiotic resistance. There was generally a low level of self-efficacy among participants regarding their role in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. Conclusion Antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and use varied significantly across demographics, suggesting a context-specific approach to developing effective community interventions.

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