Knowledge and reported use of antibiotics amongst immigrant ethnic groups in New Zealand.
BACKGROUND
Over-use and misuse of antibiotics are major causes of antibiotic resistance. This study explored the understanding and reported use of antibiotics amongst three ethnic groups in New Zealand.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey of 300 Indian, Egyptian, and Korean people.


RESULTS
Most people (73.3%) knew that antibiotics killed bacteria, but other incorrect responses were also common. A range of medicines were mistakenly identified as antibiotics. Nearly half the sample (43.3%) believed colds and flu were caused by bacteria. Only 45.4% were sure that antibiotics were not useful for colds and flu. A minority of participants knew about antibiotic resistance. There were significant differences between groups, with Koreans having lower levels of understanding.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions to improve use of antibiotics need to be pitched at a very basic level of knowledge, and need to be targeted towards particular ethnic groups, particularly those in whose home countries antibiotics are widely available without prescription.
Norris
Pauline
P
School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. pauline.norris@otago.ac.nz
Ng
Lye Funn
LF
Kershaw
Victoria
V
Hanna
Fady
F
Wong
Angela
A
Talekar
Meghna
M
Oh
Jin
J
Azer
Maryam
M
Cheong
Lynn
L
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004534:Egypt / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents