Title:
FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMERS’ USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE WHO EUROPEAN REGION
Authors:
Leonovich, Olga
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Year:
2015
PAGE:
v, 48
Language:
En
Subject:
Laboratory Quality Strengthening
Keywords:
Antibiotic use; WHO European region; Consumers
Abstract:
Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat for public health globally, and this is also the case in Europe. It is not only a medical problem but also socio- economic and ecological problem. In addition to prescribers and dispensers, consumers also are the main players in reducing inappropriate and excessive antibiotic use which develop bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The analysis of consumer related factors in the EU has not been performed. Therefore, this thesis is focusing on the consumers. Objective: The overall objective of this study is to explore factors influencing consumers‘ use of antibiotics in the WHO European region. Methods: A literature review was performed using broad search terms that were defined by the study objective. 37 relevant peer- reviewed articles, searched using database PubMed, were analyzed. Results: The problem of inappropriate antibiotic use in the WHO European region exists. It is more significant in Southern- Eastern than in Northern- Western Europe. The key underlying factors, outside the health care service delivery, influencing antibiotic use are: insufficient knowledge about antibiotics, especially among respondents from rural area, Southern- Eastern Europe and immigrants; weakness of drug legislation in Southern- Eastern countries, influencing the using antibiotics over the counter; and cultural factors which are rather different in the analyzed region. Conclusions: The results of this study can be a basis for further studying on the issue of the antibiotic use in the WHO European region. However, the findings should be interpreted within the context of the limitations of the study.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
The Republic of Belarus
Region:
Eastern Europe
Training:
Master in International Health
Category:
research
Right:
@ 2015 Leonovich
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
SWaFJBe4Pl_20171119151434578.pdf