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Study: Half of Romanians use antibiotics for common colds or sore throats
In 2019, there were nearly 5 million deaths globally associated with antibiotic resistance (of which 1.3 million deaths were directly attributed to it). Misuse of antibiotics fuels antimicrobial resistance, which is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
The study, which was initiated by the Global Partnership for respiratory infections (grip) with Reckitt’s support in May 2022, reveals the extent of antibiotic abuse for a sore throat.
The study found that more than half of the adults surveyed had taken antibiotics for a respiratory condition such as sore throat in the past six months, despite the fact that antibiotics are ineffective for 9 in 10 sore throats.
The study, conducted on 12,000 people around the world, shows that respiratory infections (nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, ear) are responsible for a large part of unjustified consumption of antibiotics. Most pacients do not need antibiotics but only symptomatic medication (antitermics, anti-inflammatory, nasal descongenstion, vitamic C, etc.) to recover. Around 90% of the sore throats have a viral etiology and do not need antibiotics.
The high rate of prescription for antibiotics for respiratory viruses contributes significantly to the increase of bacterian resistance’ stated prof.dr.Codrut Sarafoleanu, general secretary of the Romanian Society of Rinology.
“ It is important the Romanians understand how we can treat correctly a common cold or a sore throat, by using most symptomatic treatments. The campaign which we launch today wants to bring to the attention the habits of antibiotics consumption and educate about their role in the role of other drugs in the treatment of superior respiratory infections’ stated dr.Vlad Budu, the executive chairman of the Romanian Society of Rinology.
Key data in the STAR study for Romania, interviewees 25-34 years old:
· 49% think that antibiotics are efficient for sore throats;
· 36% consider that they do not have enough knowledge to treat respiratory illnesses without antibiotics; 23% would feel anxious to be treated for respiratory illnesses without antibiotics;
· 57% think that antibiotics comfort pain;
· 54% agree that antibiotics are efficient for colds and flu; 54% agree that antibiotics comfort symptoms rapidly;
· 42% think that antibiotics should be available at request in the drugstores and 35% think that they should be available without a prescription;
· 46% agree that antibiotics should be kept for the next time when the family gets sick;
· Only 69% think that they are rather well informed about the way in which antibiotics work on respiratory illnesses; 63% are worried about antibiotics resistance, 49% would be interested to find out more about antibiotics resistance.