European Union - Almost 40% of Europeans are aware of the issue of overuse of antibiotics
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/412&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
15-Apr-2010 (16 years 1 months 24 days ago)The Commission publishes two reports which demonstrate the need for further progress in the European Union on the issue of anti microbial resistance. The first is a pan-European survey which reveals some worrying trends in public attitudes towards the use of antibiotics. The results indicate that citizens need more information on the correct use of antibiotics, even though 37% of respondents remember having received information on not overusing antibiotics in the last 12 months. The second document is a progress report, adopted today, on the 2002 Council Recommendation on the prudent use of antibiotics.
Antibiotics: use and perceptions
• 40% of respondents say they have taken antibiotics in the past year, over a third took them for a viral infection like a cold or the flu
• 95% of these obtained them through a medical prescription and/or administration by a medical practitioner.
• 53% of those surveyed think that antibiotics are able to kill viruses. This misconception is particularly common in the 15-24 age group.
• However, 62% of those who received this information did not change their opinion on antibiotics.
Antibiotics: use and perceptions
• 40% of respondents say they have taken antibiotics in the past year, over a third took them for a viral infection like a cold or the flu
• 95% of these obtained them through a medical prescription and/or administration by a medical practitioner.
• 53% of those surveyed think that antibiotics are able to kill viruses. This misconception is particularly common in the 15-24 age group.
• However, 62% of those who received this information did not change their opinion on antibiotics.