Abstract

Background: We evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) among the public, before and after a territory-wide campaign conducted in Hong Kong.

Methods: We conducted telephone surveys with target population of all Hong Kong residents aged ≥ 15 before and after the publicity campaign in November 2023. We adopted a standardized questionnaire and questions on knowledge, attitude and practices, e.g. whether some common conditions require antibiotics, awareness and common myths about AMR, infection control practices while taking antibiotics. Chi-square test was used to test for any significant difference between the results of 2022 and 2023 surveys.

Results: In the 2023 survey, 1083 residents were interviewed, with response rate of 50.1%. There was major improvement in knowledge that cold and flu need no antibiotics (from 49.7% to 83.3%, p<0.001) after the campaign. A large proportion (62.8% to 89.6%) did follow the infection control practice such as hand hygiene, disinfect and cover all wounds while taking antibiotics, with an improvement in wearing mask (72.3% in 2022 to 77.3% in 2023, p<0.001). Elderly respondents had lower health literacy on AMR, e.g. heard of antibiotic resistant, and resistant bacteria could be spread from person-to-person. Those who knew that antibiotics were not needed for flu were less likely to ask for antibiotics during consultation (2.7% vs. 11.4%, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Publicity campaign on AMR could improve public knowledge and behaviour on appropriate use of antibiotics. Targeted messages should be further promulgated to address knowledge deficit and the needs of the elderly to combat AMR.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Antimicrobial utilization; Antibiotics; Health promotion; Awareness campaign