| Abstract |
Introduction
Antibiotics were introduced in the 20th century and made it possible to treat infections that were previously fatal. But then the problem of resistance to them arose due to their excessive and irresponsible use. In recent years, an ever-increasing number of bacteria with high resistance to antibiotics have emerged.
Objectives
The primary aim of this study, is to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of antibiotic use among health service recipients of the Health Centres and Local Health Teams of Heraklion, Crete. The sub-objectives relate to the adequate information and education about the use of antibiotics by health professionals, as well as the knowledge of the recipients regarding the barriers and challenges of antibiotic use. More specifically, it is about informing antibiotic recipients about the risks that have been presented to the community from the use of antibiotics, the reasons why their prescription is mandatory, and by extension whether they agree with it or think they should have the right to purchase them. Finally, reference is made to the attitude of storing leftover antibiotics for later use and taking antibiotics at the urging and advice of friends or relatives.
Methods
A mixed methodology was used in this research. Interviews were used for the qualitative design and questionnaires were used for the quantitative design, which were collected from health service recipients of the Health Centres and TOMYs of Heraklion Crete. The participants were health service recipients of the Health Centres and the TOMYs of Heraklion Crete, aged 16 years and older. Regarding the quantitative design, questionnaires consisting of 29 questions were distributed to these units and a total of approximately 300 were collected. The data were processed with special software, namely SPSS. The qualitative design was carried out through interviews, which lasted half an hour and took place in the premises of each structure. The interviews consisted of 20 questions and a total of 40 were collected. All interviews were audio-recorded so that there was no omission of what the participants said, transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively using thematic content analysis Result
Questionnaires
The results obtained from the analysis of the data on the collection of the questionnaires is that most of the participants (77.7%) were women 45 to 54 years old, Greek citizens, living in Heraklion Crete with a level of education of high school graduates (35%). The 51.3% of the participants had taken antibiotics for common cold, while 70.9% had not taken antibiotics without a prescription. In addition, 64.3% had not purchased antibiotics on their own, nor had they obtained antibiotics from a pharmacy at 75.3%, nor would they take an antibiotic recommended by an acquaintance or friend at 85.3%. Respondents thought there would be a problem if they used antibiotics they were not actually supposed to take at 66.7%, but would store tablets that might be left over after treatment at 74%. Survey participants would not use the same antibiotic on their own again without a prescription at 82.2%. Respondents followed their doctor's instructions exactly 87%, the dosage and regimen of their treatment 85.3%. The respondents thought there would be a problem if they used antibiotics they were not supposed to take at 66.7%, but would store tablets that might be left over after treatment at 74%. Survey participants would not use the same antibiotic on their own again without a prescription at 82.2%. Respondents followed their doctor's instructions exactly 87%, the dosage and regimen of their treatment 85.3%. According to the knowledge of the participants it was observed that antibiotics are given for microbial infections in 56.5% but they believed that unnecessary use of antibiotics makes antibiotics ineffective in 76.9% and they also cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, colitis and allergies in 69.9% and even in healthy individuals may create resistant bacteria in 52.8%. Participants believed that the use of antibiotics in respiratory infections did not reduce the duration of symptoms at 72.9% and did not protect people in their environment at 45.1% because these infections are caused by viruses. Importantly, 56.6% of participants did not take antibiotics in the last year.
Interview
The results of the interviews present antibiotics as drugs that are mainly used for viruses, flu and infections in general, and cannot be purchased except with a prescription. Participants were not aware of the risks of using antibiotics and therefore would not take antibiotics without doctor's instructions. In addition, they would not buy antibiotics if they had mild symptoms, but if the symptoms persisted they would go to the doctor again to ask for antibiotics so that they would not suffer further. In the case that someone they knew suggested they should take antibiotics because they themselves had taken them for similar symptoms and got better faster, participants would not follow their advice. Out of ignorance of antibiotic use, participants would not take antibiotics on their own, without a prescription, because the unknown caused them to fear negative effects. The stereotypical act of storing leftover antibiotics for later use seems to be evidently applicable in this study. An important finding was that although for so many years antibiotics have been given only on prescription by pharmacies, some participants were unaware of this. They would also like to have the right to buy antibiotics on their own, without a prescription. When watching the informative video, all participants were highly observant and when some questions that had been asked earlier were repeated, they tried to retrieve the correct answer from their minds based on the video they had watched. In this way, it was perceived that proper information and awareness on the use of antibiotics was a very important step towards proper use of antibiotics and prevention of inappropriate use of antibiotics. The participants were also unaware of the risks of antibiotic resistance due to their lack of proper knowledge of antibiotic use, but would be very careful and responsible to avoid causing effects on members of the immediate environment and for the sake of all of us. The participants believe that the overuse of antibiotics can perhaps, be reduced by legislating the use of antibiotics only on prescription. Finally, all participants mentioned the need to inform and raise awareness among the general population, either through social media or through awareness-raising activities for both adults and children. It would also be good if doctors and pharmacists were properly informed and controlled in some way. In this way, antibiotics will only be given to those who really need it.
Conclusion
This study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of antibiotic use by health service recipients and this was done using questionnaires and interviews. The most important message of this research is the necessity of proper information, education and awareness of both citizens and health professionals so that antibiotics can be beneficial to humans, animals and the environment. In this way, antibiotics will be able to deliver their maximum benefits and act beneficially for all.
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