Impact of a Mass Media Campaign on Adults’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotic Use

Abstract

Background & Objective(s): Self-medication with antibiotics is a worldwide problem and a major driver of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The objectives were to estimate the frequency, describe pattern and identify possible determinants of self-medication with antibiotics among adults in Misurata and to evaluate the impact of a mass media campaign on their knowledge and attitude regarding self-medication with antibiotics. Methods: In the 1st phase, a cross sectional design was used and 277 adults accompanying patients attending the outpatient clinics of Misurata Central Hospital were interviewed using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Data about pattern of antibiotic use, knowledge and attitude was collected. In the 2nd phase, an intervention design (one group pretest post-test design) was used. A two months mass media campaign in the form of a radio program (one episode/week for eight weeks), a TV episode and written articles in Misurata University magazine about the correct use of antibiotics was launched and its effect was assessed after three months. Results: Among adults using antibiotics, 39.5% used it as self-medication. Several defects in the pattern of antibiotic use was noticed including the duration of use, indication, and course completion. Almost two thirds had poor knowledge about antibiotics, while the majority had neutral or positive attitudes. The mean knowledge and attitude scores regarding antibiotics had significantly increased after the mass media campaign (from 9.03± 3.02 to 18.1± 4.21 and from 23.17± 5.11 to 25.81± 4.83, respectively). Conclusion: The study highlighted the extent of inappropriate use of antibiotics and the potential effectiveness of using mass media campaigns in raising the public awareness about antibiotics.