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Beliefs and Behaviours related to Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in Poland: General Population Survey

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Background Overuse of antibiotics accelerates antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening public health. Poland faces challenges with high antibiotic use; therefore, understanding people’s antibiotic-related behaviours and beliefs would help identify targets for interventions. This study aims to identify sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of antibiotic use among a representative sample of adults in Poland. Methods The study employed an exploratory survey design. Adults in Poland (N=1,000) were randomly sampled, ensuring the representativeness of the Polish general population. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire, administered through computer-assisted telephone interviews. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and using a logistic regression. Free-text data were analysed using content analysis. Results 31.6% of respondents used oral antibiotics in the preceding year, most commonly for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Higher age, higher household income level, and education level were identified as predictors of increased antibiotic use, with increasing age being the most prominent factor. The belief that antibiotics accelerate recovery from RTIs and expectations for antibiotic prescriptions were found to be associated with greater antibiotic use. Encouragingly, 92.9% of respondents reported trusting their doctors, 51.5% that doctors explained why antibiotics were unnecessary for particular infections, and 57.1% were willing to engage in such discussions. While 76.5% of respondents reported awareness of antibiotic resistance, descriptions of the concept were often flawed. Conclusions Key areas of focus for future interventions include addressing attitudes and behaviours of middle-aged (35-65) and older (66+ years old) adults, managing patient expectations regarding recovery and prescriptions, and correcting fundamental misconceptions about AMR.

Source: medRxiv

DOI: 10.64898/2026.09.15.26363114

Authors: Iga Palacz-Poborczyk, Julia Kuzminska, Aleksandra Luszczynska, Aleksandra J. Borek

Institutions: Uniwersytet SWPS, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Use and Resistance

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej