An Ipsos-Reid poll released this year determined that more than half (53%) of adult Canadians were prescribed an antibiotic in the last 3 years, a drop from 62% in 2000.
The poll, conducted for the National Information Program on Antibiotics, found that 89% of those aged 55 or older who had a prescription for an antibiotic filled recently finished all the medication, even if they felt better in a couple of days. This compares with just 71% of those aged 18 to 34. Women were somewhat more likely than men to finish their medication (83% versus 76%). Almost two-thirds (64%) of noncompliant patients said “feeling better” was the reason they did not take all the drug that was prescribed (see also In the Literature, page 776.)
Of those who had recently taken an antibiotic, 91% strongly agreed or agreed that antibiotics are useful for treating bacterial infections. More than half (53%) incorrectly thought that viral infections can be treated with antibiotics, and 30% also mistakenly agreed that antibiotics can successfully treat most colds and influenza infections. Those aged 18–34 were much more likely (44%) to believe that antibiotics can treat a cold and flu than those aged 35–54 (23%) and 55 or older (25%). Men were more likely than women to think that a cold and/or flu was treatable with antibiotics (36% versus 26%).
Forty percent of those recently treated with an antibiotic said that they had seen or heard of education programs or public awareness campaigns on the use of antibiotics within the past 3 years. Among those who had encountered information on antibiotics, 54% said they were subsequently less likely to request antibiotics from their physician, and 76% said they were subsequently more careful about how they take prescribed antibiotics; 22% said the programs had no impact.