A survey of 4,500 people in 11 countries who reported taking an antibiotic within the previous 12 months found that many respondents were concerned about antibiotic resistance but did not usually understand how their improper use of antibiotic medications was contributing to the problem.
Preliminary results from the Compliance, Modalities by Population, Lifestyle and Geography) (COMPLy) survey showed that 80% of patients considered antibiotic-resistant germs to be a serious problem, but only 60% believed that taking an antibiotic improperly reduced its effectiveness the next time it was used.
Of the respondents, 22% were considered “noncompliant” with their last antibiotic treatment because they skipped treatment days or doses or did not take all doses even after being instructed to do so. Half of the respondents thought that leftover antibiotics could be saved and used again, and 73% of those who had leftover antibiotics said that they saved them.
Noncompliance can lead to antibiotic resistance and is associated with treatment failure, deterioration of health, hospital admissions, and additional costs. Repeated and improper use of antibiotics are the two main causes of the increase in resistant bacteria.
Younger patients were less likely than older patients to be compliant.