title: Recent migrants' perspectives on antibiotic use and prescribing in primary care: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently there is great interest in antibiotic prescribing practices in the UK, but little is known about the experiences of the increasing numbers of recent migrants (those present in the UK for >1 year but <5 years) registered at GP practices. Qualitative research has suggested that reasons for not prescribing antibiotics may not be clearly communicated to migrants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the factors that shape migrants' experiences of and attitudes to antibiotics, and to suggest ways to improve effective communication around their use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study on recent migrants' health beliefs, values, and experiences in a community setting in primary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three recent migrants were interviewed in their preferred language by trained community researchers. The research team conducted a thematic analysis, focusing on health beliefs, engaging with health services, transnational medicine, and concepts of fairness. Experiences around antibiotics were a strong emerging theme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three reasons were identified for antibiotics seeking: first, holding an 'infectious model' of illness implying that antibiotics are required quickly to avoid illness becoming worse or spreading to others; second, reasoning that other medications will be less effective for people 'used to' antibiotics'; and third, perceiving antibiotic prescription as a sign of being taken seriously. Some participants obtained antibiotics from their country of origin or migrant networks in the UK; others changed their mind and accepted alternatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary care professionals should aim to understand migrants' perspectives to improve communication with patients. Further research is needed to identify different strategies needed to respond to the varying understandings of antibiotics held by migrants.
authors: Institute for Applied Health Research.
authors: Antje
authors: A
authors: Lindenmeyer
authors: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol.
authors: Sabi
authors: S
authors: Redwood
authors: Health Services Management Centre.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Griffith
authors: Institute for Applied Health Research.
authors: Shazia
authors: S
authors: Ahmed
authors: Institute of Research into Superdiversity, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Phillimore
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: antibacterial agents; migrants and transients; prescriptions; primary health care; qualitative research