title: What are the factors driving antimicrobial resistance? Perspectives from a public event in London, England.
abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is driven by multiple factors. Resolving the threat to human and animal health presented by drug-resistant infections remains a societal challenge that demands close collaboration between scientists and citizens. We compared current public views about key contributing factors to antimicrobial resistance with those expressed by experts.
  
  
  
  Overarching factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance were identified following a review of literature. The factors were then described in plain language and attached to ballot boxes at a public engagement event organised by a university. Responses to each factor were counted at the end of the event.
  
  
  
  Four hundred five responses were received from 3750 visitors (11 % response rate). Nearly half of responses (192/405, 47 · 4 %) considered the misuse/overuse of antibiotics in humans as the main determinant of antimicrobial resistance. The misuse of antibiotics in animal health obtained 16 · 3 % (66/405) responses. However, the lack of quick tests to diagnose infections received 10/405 votes (2 · 47 %), and the lack of effective vaccines received one vote (0 · 25 %).
  
  
  
  The majority of responses ascribed the emergence of drug-resistant infections to the misuse of antibiotics in human and animals. Suboptimal dosing, availability of diagnostics and environmental contamination were considered less influential on the development of antimicrobial resistance. The growing recognition of broader multifaceted drivers of drug resistance by experts is not yet echoed in the public mind.
authors: National Institute of Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK. e.castro-sanchez@imperial.ac.uk.
authors: Enrique
authors: 0000-0002-3351-9496
authors: E
authors: Castro-Sánchez
authors: National Institute of Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK.|Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: Luke S P
authors: LS
authors: Moore
authors: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors: Fran
authors: F
authors: Husson
authors: National Institute of Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK.|Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: Alison H
authors: AH
authors: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D011639:Public Opinion
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Health literacy; Public awareness