Analysis of citizens’ subjective perception of safe antibiotic use in European Union countries

Abstract

Objectives: Antibiotic consumption is high and varies between different European Union countries. Oneof the reasons could be different subjective perception of safe antibiotic use. The aim of our study wasto analyse citizens’ subjective perception of safe antibiotic use in the European Union countries in thecontext of different antibiotic policies. Some countries are prepared comprehensive national strategiesand action plans and implement many activities in different areas while other countries implementactions only in particular fields and even do not have prepared strategy or action plan.Methods: This article is based on conception of security by Barry Buzan. Variables collected from theSpecial Eurobarometer public opinion on Antimicrobial Resistance in European Union countries in 2016were used for creation the factor of subjective perception of safe antibiotic use. Six contextual factorswere selected from the scientific literature and their impact on subjective perception of safe antibioticuse was investigated.Results: High differences in subjective perception of safe antibiotic use were observed in countries despitegeneral European Union recommendations on antibiotic policy. The highest subjective perception of safeantibiotic use was in Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Denmark. Significant negativecorrelation was observed between factor of subjective perception of safe antibiotic use and antibioticconsumption (r = −0.41, p < 0.05). Created factor of information and communication technology (ICT)development, gross domestic product (GDP) and health expenditure had impact on subjective percep-tion of safe antibiotic use (t = 4.69, p < 0.01). Consumption of antibiotics also had influence on subjectiveperception of safe antibiotic use (t = −2.43, p < 0.05).Conclusions: Individuals’ subjective perception of safe antibiotic use which is related to antibiotic con-sumption highly varies between different EU countries despite general EU rec