The over-use and misuse of antibiotics has increased the development of resistant bacteria in humans, according to a new multicountry survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to the new survey, released yesterday, antibiotic resistance is undermining advances in health and medicine.
Release of the new survey coincided with the launch of World Antibiotics Awareness Week — a global initiative to improve understanding of the problem and change the way antibiotics are used.
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause.
This survey points out some of the practices, gaps in understanding and misconceptions which contribute to this phenomenon.
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of some 10 000 people, who were surveyed across 12 countries said they know antibiotic resistance is an issue that could affect them and their families, but how it affects them and what they can do to address it are not well understood. For example, 64 per cent of respondents believe antibiotics can be used to treat colds and flu, despite the fact that antibiotics have no impact on viruses.
A Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health, Bayo Onajole, called on clinicians to desist from prescribing antibiotics indiscriminately while urging the populace to desist from buying these category of drugs from over-the-counter.
