Attitudes towards antimicrobial drugs among general population in Croatia, Fyrom, Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot study to assess patients' attitudes towards antimicrobials (ABs) in six European countries (Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and Serbia), as a step preceding educational intervention on the importance of patients' compliance with instructions on taking ABs and consequences of their inappropriate use.


METHODS
Patients' knowledge, emotions and behaviour regarding ABs were assessed using a structured questionnaire, constructed by a psychologist and intended for general population in six European countries. Questionnaires were filled out by individuals who visited pharmacies and general practitioners.


RESULTS
A total of 838 questionnaires were filled in. Respondents from Slovenia showed the best knowledge about ABs, followed by Croatians. The highest willingness for self-medication reported respondents from FYROM. The most positive emotions about ABs were expressed by respondents in Greece and Hungary, and the most negative in Slovenia. All components of attitudes towards antibiotics were influenced by country and level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
Behaviour regarding ABs complied with emotions and knowledge in all countries. The results of this study may lay a basis for conducting national public campaigns, as a step forward in education of patients on rational AB use.
Radosević
Nives
N
Department of Pharmacology, University of Rijeka Medical School, Rijeka, Croatia.
Vlahović-Palcevski
Vera
V
Benko
Ria
R
Peklar
Jure
J
Miskulin
Inka
I
Matuz
Maria
M
Papaioannidou
Paraskevi
P
Sabo
Ana
A
Palcevska-Koceska
Snezana
S
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017523:Croatia; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018843:Republic of North Macedonia; D012646:Self Administration; D055771:Serbia; D017524:Slovenia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents