A new survey published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases suggests Americans fail to fully grasp how antibiotic resistance develops or why it is important.
To get an idea of American knowledge and perceptions related to antibiotic resistance, researchers surveyed 215 people using an online crowdsourcing platform.
Here are three findings from the survey responses.
1. The vast majority (92 percent) of respondents understand and agree that inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antibiotic resistance.
2. Nearly three-quarters (70 percent), however, responded neutrally or outright disagreed with the notion that antibiotic resistance is problematic.
3. More than 40 percent of respondents said antibiotics are the best way to treat a fever, runny nose or sore throat.
According to the authors of the study, the survey responses highlight the need for "specific educational targets, including the difference between an immune response and bacterial adaptation, to increase awareness and understanding of antibiotic resistance."
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