Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding antibiotic use and self-medication: a cross-sectional study among Australian Chinese migrants
Jie Hu A B and Zhiqiang Wang A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Chronic Disease, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: j.hu1@uq.edu.au
Healthcare Infection 20(1) 23-28 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI14034
Submitted: 30 September 2014 Accepted: 15 December 2014 Published: 23 February 2015
Abstract
Background: Self-medication of antibiotics can promote antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the practice of self-medication with antibiotics to treat URTIs in Australian Chinese migrants and to understand whether their knowledge of antibiotics, attitudes to and perceptions of antibiotic use was associated with self-medication of antibiotics.
Methods: Four hundred and seventeen participants were recruited in an online health survey involving a bilingual questionnaire through several Australian-based Chinese social websites. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to explore the associations between self-medication and antibiotic-related knowledge, attitudes, and perception factors.
Results: Around 24.2% of Chinese migrants used antibiotics without medical consultation for URTIs. Almost 70% of Chinese migrants indicated that they would stop taking antibiotics when symptoms improved; around 61% would use leftover antibiotics if they had similar symptoms. Furthermore, participants who would use leftover antibiotics (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7–5.6), or who would take an incomplete course of antibiotics (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–3.1) were more likely to report self-medication with antibiotics. Participants who perceived it was appropriate to use antibiotics for fever, cough and sore throat were at a greater risk of self-medication with antibiotics for URTIs.
Conclusion: A considerable number of Chinese migrants used antibiotics for URTIs without medical consultation in Australia. Misperceptions about antibiotic use were significantly associated with the practice of self-medicating in this group. The findings provided important information for developing culturally responsive interventions for the correct use of antibiotics in Australian Chinese communities.
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