Public holds misconceptions about antibiotic resistance
Over half of the public (54%) are either unsure if there’s anything they can individually do to prevent antibiotics becoming less effective at treating infections (28%) or incorrectly believe there’s nothing they can personally do (26%).
Ipsos data collected in March 2024 for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that around two in five of the public (42%) are concerned about antibiotic resistance for themselves personally. Yet, over half (54%) are either unsure if there’s anything they can individually do to prevent antibiotics becoming less effective at treating infections (28%) or incorrectly believe there’s nothing they can personally do (26%).
Technical details:
The survey was conducted online between 15th and 27th March 2024 among 5,914 UK residents aged 16 and over. Quotas were set on age by gender, region and working status. Boosts were conducted among ethnic minority participants and people living in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The total data is weighted within region/nation by gender, age, ethnicity, working status, social grade and Government Office Region (GOR), as well as an overall UK weight, so that it is broadly representative of the population. The results have been further calibrated to include weights based on key responses given in a parallel telephone survey.
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