Table 2.
Respondent's Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance
| Perceptions and Knowledge | Strongly Agree/Agree | Neutral | Strongly Disagree/Disagree | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | ||
| Antibiotic Resistance | ||||
| The inappropriate use of antibiotics could lead to development of resistant bacteria. | 187 (93) | 13 (6) | 3 (1) | 12 |
| Resistance to antibiotics is a problem in US hospitals. | 155 (76) | 44 (22) | 2 (2) | 14 |
| Antibiotic-resistant bacteria could infect me or my family. | 147 (74) | 35 (18) | 18 (8) | 15 |
| Antibiotic resistance is a significant problem. | 61 (30) | 94 (47) | 45 (23) | 15 |
| There is no connection between taking antibiotics and the development of resistant bacteria. | 12 (6) | 25 (12) | 164 (82) | 14 |
| Preservation of Antibiotic Efficacy | ||||
| If taken too often, antibiotics are less likely to work in the future. | 182 (90) | 10 (5) | 10 (5) | 13 |
| We will lose the ability to use antibiotics in the future if preventative measures are not taken. | 146 (73) | 38 (19) | 17 (8) | 14 |
| Using fewer antibiotics will decrease antibiotic resistance. | 138 (69) | 41 (20) | 22 (11) | 14 |
| The use of antibiotics for livestock leads to resistant bacteria in meat that can make people sick. | 122 (60) | 63 (31) | 18 (9) | 12 |
| Limitations on antibiotics will cause more harm than good. | 38 (19) | 58 (28) | 107 (53) | 12 |
| Prescribers | ||||
| I trust my doctor's/nurse's advice as to whether I need antibiotics or not. | 148 (72) | 40 (20) | 17 (8) | 10 |
| Antibiotics are overprescribed by doctors and nurses. | 142 (71) | 40 (20) | 18 (9) | 15 |
| Doctors and nurses are adequately educated regarding antibiotic resistance. | 113 (55) | 48 (23) | 44 (22) | 10 |
| Personal Use | ||||
| A course of antibiotics can make a person feel better. | 170 (83) | 28 (14) | 7 (3) | 10 |
| You should take all the antibiotics you are prescribed. | 168 (82) | 18 (9) | 19 (9) | 10 |
| It does not matter what time of day an antibiotic is taken. | 45 (22) | 48 (24) | 112 (55) | 10 |
| It is OK to keep unused antibiotics and use them later without advice from a doctor or nurse. | 17 (8) | 19 (9) | 168 (83) | 11 |
| Knowledge of Antibiotics | ||||
| Antibiotics can kill bacteria. | 182 (90) | 12 (6) | 9 (4) | 12 |
| It is possible that I could build an immunity to certain antibiotics over time. | 180 (89) | 13 (6) | 9 (4) | 13 |
| Antibiotics can kill bacteria that normally live on the skin and in the gut. | 160 (81) | 22 (11) | 18 (8) | 15 |
| Antibiotics can kill viruses. | 60 (29) | 12 (6) | 131 (65) | 12 |
| Antibiotics work on most coughs and colds. | 49 (24) | 24 (12) | 130 (64) | 12 |