This statistic displays the level of knowledge of respondents regarding antibiotics in England, according to a survey conducted in early 2020. Nearly 70 percent of respondents were correctly negative towards the false statement that "antibiotics treat cold and flu viruses". However, ignorance about the positive effect of antibiotics on heart operations and cancer treatments was quite high, with 43 percent in total.
Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020
Characteristic
Definitely true
Probably true
Probably not true
Definitely not true
Don't know
Antibiotics treat cold and flu viruses (false)
6%
22%
25%
44%
3%
Antibiotics work for the majority of ear infections (false)
10%
58%
19%
2%
11%
Antibiotics work for the majority of urine infections (correct)
15%
61%
13%
1%
10%
Antibiotics make heart operations and cancer treatment safer (correct)
Note: the survey included 2022 adults (aged 15+,) including 521
black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) participants, and
406 aged 15–25 years olds.
Question: "You will see a series of statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or not."
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European Commission, & BMJ Open. (April 6, 2022). Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/
European Commission, und BMJ Open. "Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020." Chart. April 6, 2022. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/
European Commission, BMJ Open. (2022). Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/
European Commission, and BMJ Open. "Level of Knowledge about Antibiotic Use in England as of 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Apr 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/
European Commission & BMJ Open, Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Level of knowledge about antibiotic use in England as of 2020 [Graph], European Commission, & BMJ Open, April 6, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1365550/respondents-knowledge-of-antibiotic-use-england/
