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. 2019 Aug 9;14(8):e0220990.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220990. eCollection 2019.

Knowledge and use of antibiotics in Thailand: A 2017 national household survey

Sunicha Chanvatik  1 , Hathairat Kosiyaporn  1 , Angkana Lekagul  1 , Wanwisa Kaewkhankhaeng  1 , Vuthiphan Vongmongkol  1 , Apichart Thunyahan  2 , Viroj Tangcharoensathien  1
Affiliations

Knowledge and use of antibiotics in Thailand: A 2017 national household survey

Sunicha Chanvatik et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The Thailand National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2017-2021, endorsed by the Thai Cabinet in 2016, aims to increase public knowledge about antibiotics and AMR awareness by 20% by 2021. This study assesses the prevalence of antibiotics use, clinical indications and sources; knowledge and access to information related to antibiotics and AMR; and factors related to level of knowledge and access to information among Thai adult population.

Methods: An AMR module was developed and embedded into the 2017 Health and Welfare Survey; a cross-sectional, two-stage stratified sampling, nationally representative household survey carried out biannually by National Statistical Office. The survey applied a structured interview questionnaire. The survey was conducted in March 2017 where 27,762 Thai adults were interviewed of the AMR module. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The one-month prevalence of antibiotic use was 7.9% for three common conditions; flu (27.0%), fever (19.2%) and sore throat (16.8%). The majority of antibiotics (70.3%) were provided by public or private healthcare facilities, and 26.7% by pharmacies. Thai adults have low levels of knowledge about antibiotics; only 2.6 gave correct answers to all six statements related to antibiotics, while 13.5% gave wrong answers to all six statements. A few factors associated with knowledge and having received information on antibiotics were assessed. People who have higher education levels, and belong to richer wealth quintiles, and receive antibiotics and AMR information have significantly higher levels of knowledge about antibiotics. In the last 12 months, only 17.8% of respondents had heard information about the proper use of antibiotics and AMR; mostly from doctors (36.1%), health workers (24.8%) and pharmacists (17.7%).

Conclusions: There is a large gap of public knowledge about the use of antibiotics. The main communication channel is through healthcare professionals, which indicates they are key persons in communicating information about the proper use of antibiotics to the public.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Indication of antibiotic use.
Note that total percentages were more than 100% due to multiple answers.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Respondents’ knowledge on antibiotics, HWS 2017.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Percentages of respondents who gave correct answers.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Source of information on antibiotics and AMR in the last year.
Note: Others include leaflets, posters, newspapers and radio broadcasting.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization. Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Geneva, Switzerland; 2015. - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization. Antibiotic resistance: multi-country public awareness survey. Geneva, Switzerland; 2015.
    1. European Commission. Special Eurobarometer 445—April 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance. European Union; 2016.
    1. European Commission. Special Eurobarometer 338—April 2010 Antimicrobial Resistance; 2010.
    1. European Commission. Flash Eurobarometer 444—September/October 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance. European Union; 2016.

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