Exploring the Relationship Between Health Literacy, Antibiotic Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors in Young Australian Adults

OBJECTIVES: Reducing antibiotic consumption is crucial to combat antibiotic resistance, a significant public health threat. According to the WHO, at least 700,000 people die each year from drug-resistant diseases. By 2050, this number could rise to 10 million. Prudent antibiotic use preserves their effectiveness, ensuring they remain a viable treatment option for future generations. Reducing human consumption of antibiotics relies on well-informed consumers. Health literacy has been linked to better health outcomes. The extent to which health literacy influences knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics is explored in a sample of young Australian adults (18-35 years).

METHODS: Three surveys (All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS), Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) towards the personal use of Antibiotics and Consumer Behavipour Survey (CBS)) were administered online to a sample of over 200 young Australian adults. Participants were recruited through an online recruitment system at the University of Technology Sydney and via social media. Recruitment is ongoing and final details will be available in August 2024. Linear and logistic multiple regression analysis will be used to determine the relationship between health literacy, knowledge and attitudes and a range of 10 undesirable antibiotic behaviours. Prevalence estimates for these 10 behaviors will also be obtained.

RESULTS: Health literacy is expected to predict better knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as well as more positive attitudes and lower reported engagement in undesirable behaviours. Prevalence estimates for problematic antibiotic behaviours are expected to be higher than in a more general population sample.

CONCLUSIONS: Improving health literacy is one mechanism for reducing the overconsumption and inappropriate use of antibiotics in young Australian adults. Using digital platforms would be a mechanism to explore for training in health literacy given their low cost, ubiquity and gamification options.