Antimicrobial resistance : report.
Date: 2016-06-20
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
Subjects: antibiotic, consumer behaviour, consumer information, health risk, infectious disease, medicinal product, opinion poll, public health, report, sample survey

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

Antimicrobial Resistance 

Fieldwork 
April 2016 
Publication 
June 2016 

Survey requested by the European Commission,  
Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety 
and co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication 

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. 
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. 

Special Eurobarometer 445 – Wave EB85.1 – TNS opinion & social 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Survey conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the European Commission, 
Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety 

Survey co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication 
(DG COMM “Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project number 
Project title 

Linguistic version 
Catalogue number 
ISBN 

© European Union, 2016 

2016.4325 
Special Eurobarometer 445 - April 2016 
“Antimicrobial Resistance” 
Report 
EN 
EW-04-16-436-EN-N 
978-92-79-58818-1 
doi:10.2875/760366 

http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antimicrobial Resistance 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION 

KEY FINDINGS 

I. USE OF ANTIBIOTICS 

1  Antibiotics use during the last year 

2  Ways of obtaining antibiotics 

3  Reasons for taking antibiotics 

II. KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIBIOTICS 

1  Do antibiotics kill viruses? 

2  Are antibiotics effective against cold and flu? 

3  Does unnecessary use of antibiotics make them become ineffective? 

4  Does taking antibiotics often result in side-effects such as diarrhea? 

5  When should taking antibiotics stop after having begun a course  

of treatment? 

6  Overall levels of knowledge on the use of antibiotics 

III. INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORRECT USE OF ANTIBIOTICS 

1  Taking information on board 

2  Means of conveying information 

3 

Impact of the obtained information on perception and behaviour 

4  Desired information about antibiotics 

5  The most trustworthy sources of information 

IV. POLICY RESPONSE 

1  Most effective level to tackle antimicrobial resistance 

V. USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT (ONE HEALTH) 

1  The treatment of sick animals with antibiotics  

2 

4 

6 

6 

10 

15 

22 

22 

26 

29 

33 

41 

37 

45 

45 

49 

53 

60 

64 

69 

69 

73 

73 

2  Ban on the use of antibiotics within the EU to stimulate growth                               

   76 

79 

in farm animals  

CONCLUSION 

ANNEXES 

Technical specifications 

Questionnaire 

Tables  

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Antimicrobial Resistance 

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INTRODUCTION 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

Antimicrobial agents are synthetic or natural substances used to destroy or prevent the growth of 
bacteria,  viruses  and  other  micro-organisms  (antibiotics  are  microbial  agents  which  only  react 
against bacteria). Since penicillin was introduced in the 1940s, antimicrobial medicines have been 
used  for  the  medical  treatment  of  humans  and  animals  and  as  disinfectants  and  preservatives. 
They  have  played  an  essential  role  in  treating  infectious  diseases  and  reducing  the  risk  of  post-
surgical complications. 

However,  there  is  increasing  concern  that  antimicrobial  agents  are  declining  in  effectiveness,  with 
the  emergence  and  spread  of  microbes,  which  are  resistant  to  the  most  affordable  and  effective 
drugs.  While  the  emergence  of  resistant  microorganisms  is  a  natural  biological  phenomenon,  it  is 
exacerbated by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine and their 
unnecessary  use  in  non-therapeutic  situations,  and  also  by  environmental  pollution  involving 
antibiotics. The rise of resistant microbes is a threat to global public health. It is responsible for the 
avoidable  deaths  of  humans  and  animals,  increased  healthcare  and  veterinary  costs,  and 
productivity losses. 

In response, the European Union put in place an Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance for the 
period 2011-2016. This Action Plan is intended to prevent the spread of microbial infections, ensure 
the  appropriate  use  of  antimicrobials,  and  undertake  research  into  effective  ways  to  combat 
resistance.1
 A Progress Report on the Action Plan - published in February 2015 - shows the state of 
play of steps taken to address this issue.2 An evaluation of the Action Plan was commissioned by 
the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) in September 2015. The evaluation, 
which is currently in progress, aims to analyse whether the actions set out in the Action Plan were 
the  most  appropriate  actions  to  be  taken  to  combat  AMR  and  which  elements  worked  well  or  not 
and to identify areas for further improvement and set recommendations for the future. Given the 
widespread  persistence  of  misconceptions  about  the  nature  and  effectiveness  of  antimicrobials, 
communication,  education  and  training  form  an  integral  part  of  this  strategy.  Since  2008,  the 
European  Centre  for  Disease  Prevention  and  Control  (ECDC)  has  coordinated  the  “European 
Antibiotic  Awareness  Day”  (EAAD),  a  European  health  initiative  that  provides  a  platform  for  and 
supports national campaigns to raise awareness on prudent use of antibiotics.3

As  part  of  this  strategy,  the  European  Commission  seeks  to  monitor  levels  of  public  use  of  and 
knowledge  about  antibiotics.  The  Directorate-General  for  Health  and  Consumers  commissioned  an 
EU  wide  survey  in  late  2009,  published  in  April  2010  as  Special  Eurobarometer  338.4 A  second 
survey was carried out in May-June 2013 (Special Eurobarometer 407, published November 2013).5 
The  current  survey  tracks  progress  on  public  use  of  and  knowledge  about  antibiotics,  and  also 
introduces some new topics. The report addresses the following objectives: 

§ 

identify the use of antibiotics among the EU public: whether they have taken antibiotics in the 
last year, how they obtained them, and for what reason they took them; 

§  measure the levels of public knowledge about the nature and effectiveness of antibiotics and 

the risks associated with their unnecessary use; 

1 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Action plan against the rising threats from 
Antimicrobial Resistance, COM (2011) 748, November 15, 2011 
(http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/docs/communication_amr_2011_748_en.pdf) 
2 Commission Staff Working Document: Progress report on the Action plan against the rising threats from Antimicrobial Resistance 
(2015), 11 March 2015  
(http://ec.europa.eu/health/antimicrobial_resistance/docs/2015_amr_progress_report_en.pdf) 
3 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, “European Antibiotic Awareness Day” 
(http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD/Pages/Home.aspx) 
4 http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_338_en.pdf 
5 http://ec.europa.eu/health/antimicrobial_resistance/docs/ebs_407_en.pdf 

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§  determine the impact of the information Europeans have received, as well as their knowledge 

and attitudes; 

§  obtain perceptions of the most appropriate policy response to antibiotic resistance; 

§  assess  knowledge  of  and  attitudes  towards  the  use  of  antibiotics  in  agriculture  and  the 

environment. 

This  survey  was  carried  out  by  TNS  Opinion  &  Social  network  in  the  28  Member  States  of  the 
European  Union  between  the  9th  and  18th  April  2016.  Some  27,969  respondents  from  different 
social  and  demographic  groups  were  interviewed  face-to-face  at  home  in  their  mother  tongue  on 
behalf  of  Directorate-General  for  Health  and  Food  Safety.  The  methodology  used  is  that  of 
Eurobarometer  surveys  as  carried  out  by  the  Directorate-General  for  Communication  (“Strategy, 
Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit).  

Note: In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The abbreviations used in 
this report correspond to: 

Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Czech Republic 
Denmark  
Germany 
Estonia 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Croatia 
Ireland 
Italy 
Republic of Cyprus 
Lithuania 

BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IE 
IT 
CY * 
LT 

Latvia 
Luxembourg  
Hungary 
Malta 
The Netherlands 
Austria 
Poland 
Portugal  
Romania 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 

LV 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK  

European Union – weighted average for the 28 Member States 
BE, IT, FR, DE, LU, NL, DK, UK, IE, PT, ES, EL, AT, SE, FI 
BG, CZ, EE, HR, CY, LT, LV, MT, HU, PL, RO, SI, SK** 
BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY, MT, SK, LV, LT 
BG, CZ, DK, HR, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK  

EU28 
EU15 *** 
NMS13 **** 
Euro area 
Non euro area 

* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the ‘acquis communautaire’ 
has been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of 
Cyprus.  For  practical  reasons,  only  the  interviews  carried  out  in  the  part  of  the  country  controlled  by  the 
government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the ‘CY’ category and in the EU28 average. 

** Provisional abbreviation which in no way prejudges the definitive name of this country, which will be agreed 
once the current negotiations at the United Nations have been completed  

*** EU15 refers to the 15 countries forming the European Union before the enlargements of 2004 and 2007. 

**** The NMS13 are the 13 ‘new Member States’ which joined the European Union during the 2004, 2007 and 
2013 enlargements. 

We wish to thank the people throughout the European Union who have given their time to take part 
in this survey. Without their active participation, this study would not have been possible. 

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KEY FINDINGS 

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A third of Europeans have taken antibiotics in the last year 

§  Around a third (34%) of respondents say that they have taken antibiotics in oral form at any 
time  in  the  last  12  months,  very  similar  to  the  figure  obtained  in  the  last  survey  in  2013 
(35%). 

§  Usage varies by country: it is highest in Malta (48%) and Spain (47%), and lowest in Sweden 

(18%) and the Netherlands (20%). 

§  Women are more likely than men to take antibiotics, and use is higher among those with low 

levels of education and those who have more difficulties paying bills. 

§  The vast majority of Europeans obtain antibiotics from their health care provider. 

§  Bronchitis, flu and a sore throat are the most commonly cited reasons for taking antibiotics. 

Knowledge of antibiotics has remained constant since 2013 

§  Only  around  a  quarter  (24%)  of  Europeans  give  the  correct  answer  to  four  questions  about 
antibiotics,  and  the  European  average  of  correct  answers  is  2.5  out  of  4.  These  figures  are 
similar to those recorded in 2013. 

§  Most  Europeans  (84%)  are  aware  that  unnecessary  use  of  antibiotics  makes  them  become 
ineffective, and a similar proportion (82%) know that you should only stop taking antibiotics 
after taking all of the prescribed dose as directed. 

§  However,  less  than  half  (43%)  of  Europeans  know  that  antibiotics  are  ineffective  against 

viruses, and just over half (56%) know that they are ineffective against colds and flu. 

A third of Europeans receive information about right use of antibiotics 

§  Only  a  third  (33%)  of  respondents  recall  receiving  information  about  not  taking  antibiotics 

unnecessarily in the last 12 months, the same proportion as in 2013. 

§  This proportion ranges from 68% in Finland to 15% in Italy. 

§  Respondents are most likely to say that they received the information from a doctor (32%), a 

television advertisement (27%) or the television news (26%). 

§  Around  a  third  (34%)  of  those  respondents  who  received  information  about  the  misuse  of 
antibiotics say that the information changed their views on antibiotics, slightly lower than in 
the 2013 survey (36%). 

•  Most (67%) of the respondents whose views were changed by information on antibiotics say 

that, as a result, they will always consult a doctor about the need to take antibiotics. 

§  Europeans  express  interest  in  receiving  (more)  information  on  a  range  of  topics,  such  as 
information on the medical conditions for which antibiotics are used, how to use antibiotics, 
antimicrobial  resistance,  and  the  links  between  the  health  of  humans,  animals  and  the 
environment. 

§  Respondents see doctors (84%) as the most trustworthy source of information on antibiotics. 

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Europeans support action at all levels to tackle antibiotic resistance 

§  Europeans  are  aware  that  action  is  needed  at  all  levels,  with  35%  in  favour  of  action  at 
global and EU level. 28% think that action should be taken at national/regional level, whereas 
19% consider it should be tackled at the invididual level or within the family. 

Just over a third are aware of the EU ban on the use of antibiotics on farm animals 

§  More than half of Europeans (56%) agree that sick animals should be treated with antibiotics 

if this is the most appropriate treatment, while a third (34%) disagrees. 

§ 

Just over a third of Europeans (37%) say that they were aware that the use of antibiotics to 
stimulate growth in farm animals is banned in the EU. 

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I.  USE OF ANTIBIOTICS 

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The first set of questions deals with respondents’ use of antibiotics, asking whether they have used 
them in the last year, how they obtained them, and the reason for which they took them. 

1  Antibiotics use during the last year 

-A third of Europeans have taken antibiotics- 

Firstly, respondents were asked whether they have taken antibiotics in oral form at any time in the 
last 12 months.6 

Around  one  third  (34%)  of  respondents  say  that  they  have  taken  antibiotics  during  the  last  year. 
This is very similar to the figure that was obtained in the 2013 Eurobarometer survey, when 35% 
said they had taken antibiotics. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

There is substantial variation between Member States, as was the case in the 2013 survey. In all 
countries, fewer than half of the respondents say that they have taken antibiotics. However, while 
nearly half of those polled in Malta (48%) and Spain (47%) answer positively, less than a quarter of 
those  polled  in  Sweden  (18%),  the  Netherlands  (20%),  Germany  (23%)  and  Denmark  (23%)  have 
taken antibiotics in the course of the last year. 

6 QB1. Have you taken any antibiotics orally such as tablets, powder or syrup in the last 12 months? ONE 
ANSWER ONLY. “Yes”, “No”, ‘DK’. 

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Total base (N=27,969) 

There have been some changes at the country level since the 2013 survey, although in general the 
level  of  change  is  less  pronounced  than  in  the  previous  survey  (which  measured  change  between 
2009 and 2013). Overall, countries are more likely to show a decrease since 2013 than an increase: 
in 16 countries there has been a decrease, in 4 an increase, while findings have remained stable in 
8 countries7. 

In Spain, the proportion of those taking antibiotics has increased by 9 percentage points since 2013. 
The  next  biggest  increase  is  found  in  Italy  (+7).  The  largest  decreases  are  found  in  Romania  (-9), 
Latvia, Denmark and the Netherlands (all -8). 

7 In this question and throughout the survey, change is considered to be ‘stable’ where there has been a change of no more than 2 
percentage points since 2013. 

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Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who have taken antibiotics in the last 12 months 

Total base (N=27,969) 

There are some noteworthy differences between socio-economic groups of respondents: 

§  Women (37%) are more likely than men (31%) to have taken antibiotics in the last year. This 

difference is similar to that observed in 2013. 

§  Education  also  influences  the  likelihood  of  taking  antibiotics.  Respondents  whose  education 
ended  at  or  before  the  age  of  15  are  more  likely  to  have  taken  antibiotics  than  those  who 
finished their education at 16 or older (39% compared with 32-33%). 

§  Related  to  this,  respondents  who  are  not  working  are  more  likely  to  have  used  antibiotics, 

specifically housepersons (41%), unemployed respondents (38%) and students (37%). 

§ 

In  terms  of  household  type,  single  adults  living  with  children  are  more  likely  than  those  in 
other types of households to have used antibiotics (38% compared with 33-35%). 

§  Those who have more difficulties paying bills are more likely to have used antibiotics. More 
than two fifths (44%) of respondents who have difficulty paying their bills ‘most of the time’ 
have  used  them,  compared  with  less  than  a  third  of  those  who  ‘almost  never’  have  trouble 
paying bills (31%).  

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§  The use of antibiotics appears to decrease as knowledge increases: those who answered all 
four  questions  about  antibiotics  correctly  are  less  likely  to  have  used  them  than  those  who 
got one answer correct or none at all (31% compared with 40% and 35% respectively). It is 
striking that two fifths (40%) of those who say they received information on the misuse of 
antibiotics  nevertheless  take  them,  compared  with  a  third  (32%)  of  those  who  say  they  did 
not receive this information. This runs counter to the expectation that levels of antibiotic use 
should be lower among those Europeans who had received information about their misuse.  

Total base (N=27,969) 

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2  Ways of obtaining antibiotics 

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Report 

-The vast majority of Europeans obtain antibiotics from their health care provider-	

To establish the most common sources of antibiotics used by European citizens, the survey asked 
how respondents obtained the last course of antibiotics they used.8 It is important to identify how 
Europeans  obtain  antibiotics,  as  the  Community  strategy  on  the  prudent  use  of  antimicrobials 
emphasises  the  need  for  Member  States  to  ensure  that  systemic  antibacterial  agents,  such  as 
antibiotics, be limited to prescription-only use.9

Almost  all  respondents  (93%)  say  that  they  obtained  their  last  course  of  antibiotics  from  their 
health  care  provider.  By  far  the  most  common  source  of  antibiotics  was  a  medical  prescription 
(73%), but a further 20% received antibiotics directly from a medical practitioner. Notably, there is 
a persistent minority who still consume antibiotics without a prescription (4%) or use those left over 
from a previous course (2%). 

There have been some changes since the 2013 survey, with respondents now less likely to say that 
they obtained antibiotics from a medical prescription (-14 percentage points) and more likely to say 
they obtained them directly from a medical practitioner (+12). These changes are likely to relate to 
a slight change in the way the question was asked. In the 2016 survey, the order of the first four 
response options was rotated, whereas in 2013 the order was kept constant. This is likely to have 
affected  the  proportions  giving  individual  answers.  When  examining  changes  since  2013,  the 
analysis  therefore  focuses  on  change  for  combined  responses,  based  on  two  groupings:  ‘from  a 
medical practitioner’ (either ‘from a medical prescription’ or ‘administered by a medical practitioner’) 
and ‘not from a medical practitioner’ (all other sources). This analysis shows a slight decrease in the 
proportion saying they obtained antibiotics from a medical practitioner (-2 percentage points) and a 
corresponding increase (+2 percentage points) in the proportion saying they obtained them in other 
ways. 

8 QB2 How did you obtain the last course of antibiotics that you used? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “From a medical prescription”, “Administered 
by a medical practitioner”, “You had some left over from a previous course”, “Without prescription from a pharmacy”, “Without 
prescription from elsewhere”, “Don’t remember (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 
The results for the answers “From a medical prescription” and “Administered by a medical practitioner” are regrouped into the answer 
“Total from a medical practitioner”; the results for the answers “You had some left over from a previous course”, “Without prescription 
from a pharmacy” and “Without prescription from elsewhere” are regrouped into the answer “Total not from a medical practitioner”. 
9 Council Recommendation of 15 November 2001 on the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in human medicine, (2002/77/EC), 
http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2002:034:0013:0016:EN:PDF. 

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Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

In all countries, a substantial majority of respondents say they obtained antibiotics from a medical 
practitioner.  The  lowest  levels  are  found  in  Greece  (79%),  Romania  (84%),  Cyprus  (86%),  Latvia 
(87%),  Bulgaria  (87%)  and  Croatia  (88%).  In  all  other  countries,  more  than  nine  in  ten  of  those 
polled say they obtained antibiotics in this way, with the highest proportion found in Sweden (98%). 

Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

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In  most  countries  findings  have  remained  stable  since  2013,  in  terms  of  the  proportion  that 
obtained antibiotics from a medical practitioner. Just three countries show an increase: Ireland (+4 
percentage points), Romania (+4) and Belgium (+3) 10. 

In  eight  countries  the  proportion  has  decreased.  The  largest  decreases  are  found  in  Poland  (-7 
percentage points), Croatia (-6) and Latvia (-5). 

Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

10 In this question and throughout the survey, change is considered to be ‘stable’ where there has been a change of no more than 2 
percentage points since 2013. 

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Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who obtained their antibiotics from a medical 
practitioner 

Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

There are differences between socio-demographic groups on this question, specifically by gender 
and age. Women are more likely than men to have obtained their last course of antibiotics from a 
medical  practitioner  (95%  compared  with  90%),  and  older  people  are  more  likely  than  younger 
people to have obtained antibiotics in this way (96% of those aged 55 or over, falling to 87% of 
those aged 15-24). 

Those  with  a  good  knowledge  of  antibiotics  are  slightly  more  likely  to  have  obtained  their  last 
course of antibiotics from a medical practitioner (96% of those who answered at last three out of 
four  questions  correctly,  compared  with  89-91%  of  those  who  answered  not  more  than  two 
questions correctly). 

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QB2

How did you obtain the last
course of antibiotics that you
used?	
(%	-	EU)

l

a
c
i
d
e
m
a
m
o
r
F

'

l

a
t
o
T

'

r
e
n
o
i
t
i
t
c
a
r
p

93

90
95

87
91
93
96

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Knowledge	about	antibiotics

4	correct	answers
3	correct	answers
2	correct	answers
1	correct	answer
0	correct	answers

96
96
91
89
89

Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

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3  Reasons for taking antibiotics 

-Bronchitis, flu and a sore throat are the most common reasons for taking antibiotics- 

Respondents who said they had taken antibiotics in the last year were asked for which reasons they 
had taken them. The interviewer presented respondents with a card on which a variety of illnesses 
and symptoms were printed, some of which antibiotics treat effectively (e.g. pneumonia) and some 
of which antibiotics are ineffective at treating (e.g. cold, flu).11
 This question allows us to determine 
the extent to which Europeans use antibiotics appropriately12. 

The most common responses among the listed options are bronchitis (18%, no change since 2013), 
flu (16%, down from 18% in 2013) and a sore throat (14%, up from 11% in 2013). There was also 
an  increase  in  the  proportion  of  respondents  saying  they  took  antibiotics  for  a  fever  (11%, 
compared with 7% in 2009).  

The most common answer is non-specific, with over a fifth (23%, +2 percentage points since 2013) 
of those polled saying that they took antibiotics for reasons other than the list of options given to 
them. 

Overall, one in seven (14%, +4 percentage points since 2013) of those taking antibiotics do so to 
treat  both  illnesses  and  symptoms,  while  one  in  three  respondents  (34%,  -8)  take  them  to  treat 
illness alone, and more than one in four (28%, +2) to treat symptoms alone.13. 

11 QB3 What was the reason for last taking antibiotics that you used? MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE. “Pneumonia (an infection causing 
an inflammation of one or both lungs)”, “Bronchitis (inflammation and swelling of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the 
trachea into the lungs)”, “Rhinopharyngitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx)”, “Flu”, “Cold”, “Sore throat”, 
“Cough”, “Fever”, “Headache”, “Diarrhea”, “Urinary tract infection”, “Skin or wound infection”, “Other (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 
12 Antibiotics are ineffective against colds and flu, which are caused by viruses. Most sore throats and bronchial infections are caused by 
viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics, but in some cases bacteria can be the cause of these illnesses, and then antibiotics are 
appropriate. 
13 The results for the answers “Pneumonia (an infection causing an inflammation of one or both lungs)”, “Bronchitis (inflammation and 
swelling of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the trachea into the lungs)”, “Rhinopharyngitis (inflammation of the mucous 
membrane of the nose and pharynx)”, “Flu” and “Cold” are regrouped into the answer “Illness only”. The results for the answers “Sore 
throat”, “Cough”, “Fever”, “Headache”, “Diarrhea”, “Urinary tract infection” and “Skin or wound infection” are regrouped into the answer 
“Symptom only”. Any combination of answers containing at least one answer used in the regrouping “Illness only” and at least one answer 
used in the regrouping “Symptom only” is regrouped into the answer “Illness and symptom”. 

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Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

There are clear differences between respondents in different Member States on the question as to 
the reason for their last course of antibiotics. 

§  At least a quarter of those polled in Italy (27%) and Slovakia (26%) say they took antibiotics 
to  treat  bronchitis.  However,  only  a  small  minority  give  this  answer  in  Denmark  (3%)  and 
Sweden (5%).  

§ 

In Bulgaria, almost a third (31%) of respondents say they take antibiotics to combat flu, with 
a  large  proportion  of  respondents  in  Greece  (28%)  saying  the  same.  At  the  other  extreme, 
only 1% of respondents in Sweden take antibiotics in these circumstances, as do 3% of those 
polled in Denmark and 4% in the Netherlands. 

§  On  the  question  of  whether  respondents  used  antibiotics  to  treat  a  sore  throat,  the  highest 
proportions  are  found  in  Croatia  (27%),  Hungary  (25%)  and  Bulgaria  (23%).  The  smallest 
proportions giving this answer are found in the Netherlands (1%), Romania (5%) and Finland 
(5%). 

§  Respondents  in  Bulgaria  are  the  most  likely  to  say  they  take  antibiotics  to  treat  a  fever 
(28%), followed by those in Italy (25%) and Greece (21%). The lowest proportions are found 
in the Netherlands (1%), Sweden (2%) and the UK (2%). 

§  Around  a  quarter  of  respondents  in  Greece  (26%)  say  they  used  antibiotics  to  treat  a  cold, 
with  high  proportions  also  found  in  Bulgaria  (24%),  Latvia  (23%)  and  Romania  (22%). 
Respondents in Sweden and Finland (both 1%) are the least likely to say this. 

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§  Relatively  large  proportions  of  respondents  say  they  take  antibiotics  to  treat  a  urinary  tract 

infection in the Czech Republic, Croatia and the Netherlands (all 17%). 

§  More than a quarter (27%) of respondents in Bulgaria say they took antibiotics for a cough.  

§  Respondents  in  Finland  (17%)  are  the  most  likely  to  take  antibiotics  for  rhinopharyngitis, 
while  those  in  Sweden  (20%)  are  the  most  likely  to  take  antibiotics  for  a  skin  or  wound 
infection.  A  quarter  (25%)  of  respondents  in  Denmark  say  they  last  took  antibiotics  for 
pneumonia, much higher than for any other country, 

Overall, one in seven (14%) respondents across the EU take antibiotics to treat both illnesses and 
symptoms.  This  is  much  higher  in  Bulgaria  (36%)  than  in  other  countries,  with  the  lowest 
proportions found in the UK (2%) and Sweden (3%). Respondents in Poland (49%), Lithuania (44%), 
Belgium  (43%)  and  Romania  (43%)  are  the  most  likely  to  take  antibiotics  for  illness  only,  while 
those  in  Sweden  (44%),  Croatia  (42%)  and  the  UK  (40%)  are  most  likely  to  take  antibiotics  for 
symptoms only. 

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Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

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At  the  overall  EU  level,  there  have  been  only  small  changes  since  2013  in  the  proportions  taking 
antibiotics for different reasons. However, there have been some large changes at the country level. 

§  The  proportion  saying  they  take  antibiotics  for  bronchitis  has  fallen  the  most  in  the  Czech 

Republic (-14 percentage points) and Austria (-11).  

§  The  biggest  increase  since  2013  in  the  proportion  using  antibiotics  against  flu  is  found  in 
Greece (+6 percentage points). Large decreases are found in Malta (-12 percentage points), 
Luxembourg, Austria and Romania (all -11). 

§ 

In most countries, there have been only small changes in the proportions using antibiotics for 
a  sore  throat.  The  largest  increases  are  found  in  the  Czech  Republic  (+8  percentage  points) 
and Poland (+7), while the largest decreases are found in Slovenia (-9 percentage points) and 
Malta (-8). 

§  The proportions using antibiotics for a fever have increased the most in Italy (+14 percentage 
points)  and  Bulgaria  (+12),  while  the  largest  decrease  is  found  in  Slovakia  (-7  percentage 
points). 

§  There have been large decreases in the proportions saying they take antibiotics for a cold in 
Austria (-16 percentage points) and Romania (-13), whereas the largest increase is found in 
the Czech Republic (+5 percentage points). 

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April 2016 

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Report 

Top 5 answers 

Base: Respondents who have taken antibiotics (N=9,582) 

There  are  a  number  of  clear  differences  between  socio-demographic  groups  concerning  the 
likelihood of taking antibiotics to treat the five most common illnesses and symptoms: 

§  Findings are similar between men and women, although women are slightly more likely than 

men to use antibiotics for symptoms only (29% compared with 25%). 

20 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
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§  Older respondents are more likely than younger respondents to take antibiotics for bronchitis 
(22%  of  those  aged  55  or  over,  falling  to  12%  of  those  aged  15-24).  For  other  illnesses, 
however,  older  respondents  are  slightly  less  likely  to  take  antibiotics;  for  example,  10%  of 
those aged 55 or over take antibiotics for a sore throat, compared with 14-17% in younger 
age groups.  

§  As  in  previous  surveys,  objective  knowledge  of  antibiotics  mostly  leads  respondents  to  take 
antibiotics in ways consistent with that knowledge. The proportion that uses antibiotics for flu 
ranges  from  6%  among  those  who  answered  all  four  questions  correctly,  to  24%  among 
those who got no correct answers. Similarly, the proportions using antibiotics for a cold range 
from 3% to 20%, and from 12% to 21% for those using antibiotics for a sore throat. 

21 

 
 
  
 
 
	
	
	
Antimicrobial Resistance 

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Report 

II.  KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIBIOTICS 

The second set of questions concern objective knowledge of antibiotics. Respondents were asked if 
each of four statements about antibiotics was ‘true’ or ‘false’. The statements are as follows: 

§  Antibiotics kill viruses (FALSE) 

§  Antibiotics are effective against colds and flu (FALSE) 

§  Unnecessary use of antibiotics makes them become ineffective (TRUE) 

§  Taking antibiotics often has side-effects, such as diarrhea (TRUE) 

1  Do antibiotics kill viruses? 

-Less than half of Europeans are aware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses- 

Respondents were asked if it is true or false that antibiotics kill viruses.14
 Just over four out of ten 
(43%) of those polled correctly replied that antibiotics do not kill viruses. This is an improvement on 
2013, when 40% of respondents held this opinion. Just under half (46%) gave the incorrect answer 
(-3 percentage points), while more than one in ten (11%) Europeans could not answer the question, 
a proportion unchanged since 2013. 

Correct Answer=False  

Total base (N=27,969) 

There  are  significant  differences  on  this  question  at  country  level.  In  nine  countries,  a  majority  of 
respondents correctly answered that antibiotics do not kill viruses. In Sweden, almost three quarters 
(72%)  of  respondents  gave  the  correct  reply.  In  the  other  eight  countries,  where  a  majority  of 
respondents gave a correct answer, the proportion ranges between 54% and 63%. 

14 QB4.1 For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false. Antibiotics kill viruses.  
ONE ANSWER ONLY. “True”, “False”, “Don’t know”. 

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Report 

In 9 countries, less than a third (33%) of those polled gave the correct answer. Levels of knowledge 
are lowest in Greece (20%), followed by Bulgaria (26%), Latvia (26%) and Malta (27%). 

Correct Answer=False  

Total base (N=27,969) 

The majority of countries saw an increase in the proportions of respondents answering this question 
correctly since 2013. Nine countries show an increase of more than 10 percentage points: Romania 
(+14), Cyprus (+12) and Portugal (+11). 

There were only four countries where levels of knowledge decreased by more than two percentage 
points: the Czech Republic (-6 percentage points), Greece (-5), Italy (-5) and Croatia (-4). 

23 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
	
 
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Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who know that antibiotics do not kill viruses 

Correct Answer=False  

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  terms  of  socio-demographic  variations,  women  are  slightly  more  likely  than  men  to  give  the 
correct  answer  (45%  compared  with  41%),  and  respondents  in  the  middle  age  bands  are  more 
likely to answer correctly than those in the youngest or oldest age bands (45% of 25-39 year olds 
and 47% of 40-54 year olds, compared with 41% of those aged 15-24 and 40% of those aged 55 
or over). 

The  main  difference  is  by  level  of  education.  Less  than  a  third  (30%)  of  those  whose  education 
ended at or before the age of 15 correctly said that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, while 
more than half (56%) of those whose education ended at or after the age of 20 gave this answer. 

Personal  experience  of  taking  antibiotics  appears  to  have  only  a  minor  impact;  in  fact,  those  who 
have  taken  antibiotics  in  the  previous  12  months  are  less  likely  than  those  who  haven’t  taken 
antibiotics to answer correctly (40% compared with 45%). Receipt of information appears to have a 
positive effect: those who say they had received information about antibiotics are more likely than 
those who haven’t received information to give the correct answer (54% compared with 38%).  

24 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
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April 2016 

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Report 

QB4.1

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you
think	it	is	true	or	false.	
Antibiotics	kill	viruses		(%	-	EU)

e
u
r
T
=
r
e
w
s
n
a
t
c
e
r
r
o
c
n

I

46

48
45

47
47
45
46

54
49
36
46

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Yes
No

Yes
No

Taken	antibiotics	in	last	12	months

50
44

Received	information	about	antibiotics

38
50

Total base (N=27,969)	

e
s
l
a
F
=
r
e
w
s
n
A
t
c
e
r
r
o
C

43

41
45

41
45
47
40

30
41
56
43

40
45

54
38

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

11

11
10

12
8
8
14

16
10
8
11

10
11

8
12

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Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

2  Are antibiotics effective against cold and flu? 

-A slim majority of Europeans are aware that antibiotics are ineffective against cold and 
flu- 

Respondents were asked if it is true or false that antibiotics are effective against cold and flu.15
 Just 
over half (56%) of respondents gave the correct answer that antibiotics are not effective in these 
cases,  an  increase  of  4  percentage  points  since  2013.  Just  over  a  third  (36%)  gave  the  incorrect 
answer (-5 percentage points), while 8% could not give an answer (+1 percentage point). 

Correct Answer=False  

Total base (N=27,969) 

The  country-level  distribution  shows  some  similarities  to  that  for  the  previous  question.  In  14 
Member States, the proportion of respondents giving the correct answer to this question represents 
the majority. Overall, more than three quarters of respondents gave the correct answer in Finland, 
the Netherlands and Sweden (all 79%).  

Respondents are least likely to answer the question correctly in Greece (30%), Bulgaria (34%) and 
Poland (34%). 

15 QB4.2 For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false. Antibiotics are effective against colds 
and flu. ONE ANSWER ONLY. “True”, “False”, “Don’t know”. 

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Report 

Correct Answer=False  
Total base (N=27,969) 

There have been some large increases in the proportion of respondents giving the correct answer to 
this question since 2013. The largest increases are found in Cyprus (+19 percentage points), Austria 
(+16), Germany (+14) and Portugal (+11). Only four countries show a decrease of more than two 
percentage points: Croatia (-6), Greece (-4), Italy (-3) and Denmark (-3). 

Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents know that antibiotics are not  
effective against colds and flu 

Correct Answer=False  
Total base (N=27,969) 

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A socio-demographic analysis of the results reveals the following: 

§  Women (59%) are more likely than men (53%) to give the correct answer that antibiotics are 

not effective against colds and flu. 

§  Younger respondents are less likely than other respondents to give the correct answer. Less 
than  half  (45%)  of  respondents  in  the  15  to  24  age  cohort  gave  the  correct  answer, 
compared with at least 56% in the other age bands. 

§  Again, education has a clear impact: less than half (47%) of those who finished education at 
the age of 15 or earlier gave the correct answer, compared with around two thirds (68%) of 
those who finished at 20 or later. 

§  Again, those who have taken antibiotics in the previous 12 months are less likely than those 
who  haven’t  taken  antibiotics  to  answer  correctly  (50%  compared  with  59%).  Furthermore, 
around two thirds (68%) of those who have received information regarding the unnecessary 
use of antibiotics gave the correct answer, compared with half (50%) of those who have not 
received any information.  

QB4.2

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you
think	it	is	true	or	false.	
Antibiotics	are	effective	against	colds	and	flu		(%	-	EU)

e
u
r
T
=
r
e
w
s
n
a
t
c
e
r
r
o
c
n

I

36

38
34

46
37
33
35

41
38
27
45

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Yes
No

Yes
No

Taken	antibiotics	in	last	12	months

43
33

Received	information	about	antibiotics

27
41
Total base (N=27,969) 

28 

e
s
l
a
F
=
r
e
w
s
n
A
t
c
e
r
r
o
C

56

53
59

45
56
62
56

47
55
68
47

50
59

68
50

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

8

9
7

9
7
5
9

12
7
5
8

7
8

5
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Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

3  Does unnecessary use of antibiotics make them become 

ineffective? 

-Most Europeans are aware that unnecessary use of antibiotics makes them become 
ineffective- 

Respondents were asked whether it was true or false that the unnecessary use of antibiotics makes 
them become ineffective.16
 A large majority (84%) of those polled gave the correct answer that the 
overuse  of  antibiotics  reduces  their  effectiveness.  Just  under  one  in  ten  gave  the  wrong  answer 
(8%). The distribution of answers is exactly the same as in 2013. 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  every  country  except  Italy  and  Hungary,  more  than  three  quarters  of  respondents  know  that 
unnecessary  use  of  antibiotics  makes  them  become  ineffective.  The  proportion  in  Italy  is  much 
lower  (58%),  and  a  quarter  (25%)  of  respondents  in  Italy  cannot  give  an  answer  to  this  question, 
compared with 8% on average in the EU.  

Almost  all  respondents  in  Sweden  (98%),  the  Netherlands  (96%)  and  Malta  (95%)  answered 
correctly, and at least nine in ten respondents gave correct answers in another 10 countries. 

16 QB4.3 For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false. Unnecessary use of antibiotics make 
them become ineffective. ONE ANSWER ONLY. “True”, “False”, “Don’t know”. 

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April 2016 

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Report 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

At the overall EU level, there have been no changes in the findings since 2013, and findings have 
remained  stable  in  12  countries.  However,  there  has  been  a  large  increase  in  the  proportion 
answering correctly in Romania (+21 percentage points). The next largest increases are in Portugal 
(+8) and Malta (+5). 

In 2013, knowledge on this issue was lowest in Italy, and the proportion answering correctly in Italy 
has decreased further (-10 percentage points). The next largest decrease is found in France (-8). 

30 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
	
 
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Report 

Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who know that the unnecessary use of antibiotics 
makes them become ineffective 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

There  is  widespread  agreement  across  socio-demographic  groups  that  the  unnecessary  use  of 
antibiotics  renders  them  ineffective.  Around  nine  in  ten  (89%)  of  those  who  continued  their 
education  up  to  or  beyond  the  age  of  20.  Respondents  aged  40-54  are  most  likely  to  answer 
correctly  (87%  compared  with  81-84%  in  other  age  groups).  Nevertheless,  the  level  of  education 
once again stands out as influential: just over three quarters (77%) of those who finished education 
at or before the age of 15 gave the correct answer. 

There is no difference according to personal use of antibiotics in the previous 12 months. On top of 
the  already  high  overall  rate  of  agreement,  information  about  antibiotics  has  a  significant  effect. 
Just  over  nine  in  ten  (92%)  of  those  who  received  information  on  antibiotics  gave  the  correct 
answer to this question, compared with four fifths (80%) of those who did not 

31 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Total base (N=27,969)	

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4  Does taking antibiotics often result in side-effects such as 

diarrhea? 

-Two thirds of Europeans know that frequent use of antibiotics can lead to side-effects- 

Respondents  were  asked  whether  it  is  true  or  false  that  taking  antibiotics  often  has  side-effects 
such  as  diarrhea.17 Two  thirds  (66%)  of  respondents  gave  the  correct  answer  that  antibiotics  can 
produce  side-effects.  There  is  more  uncertainty  over  this  issue  than  the  preceding  ones:  a  fifth 
(20%) of respondents were unable to give an answer to this question. A slightly smaller proportion 
(14%)  gave  an  incorrect  answer.  As  in  the  previous  question,  findings  have  remained  very  stable 
since the 2013 survey. 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  all  Member  States,  more  than  half  of  respondents  answered  correctly.  The  highest  proportions 
are found in Finland (79%), Lithuania (77%), Austria, Estonia and Slovakia (all 76%). 

Respondents in Sweden (55%) and Italy (56%) express the lowest levels of knowledge. In the case 
of Italy, this is consistent with the previous question, but the low level of knowledge in Sweden is in 
contrast to the other knowledge questions, where Sweden is among the highest ranked countries. 

There is also some variation in the proportions who were unable to give an answer. This is highest 
in Denmark (29%) and Sweden (28%), and lowest in Slovakia (10%), Finland, Lithuania and Austria 
(all 11%). 

17 QB4.4 For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false. Taking antibiotics often has side-
effects such as diarrhea. ONE ANSWER ONLY. “True”, “False”, “Don’t know”. 

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Report 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In total, 11 Member States have seen an increase in levels of knowledge since 2013. Romania has 
again seen the biggest increase in correct answers, up 17 percentage points, followed by Spain (+9), 
Lithuania (+8) and Ireland (+8).  

There have been decreases in knowledge levels in eight countries, with the largest decrease again 
found in Italy (-12 percentage points). 

Knowledge has remained stable in nine countries. 

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Report 

Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who know that taking antibiotics often has side-
effects such as diarrhea 

Correct Answer=True 

Total base (N=27,969) 

Socio-demographic  differences  are  less  pronounced  than  for  the  previous  questions,  but  the 
patterns are still consistent: 

§  Fewer men (62%) than women (69%) agree that antibiotics often have side-effects. 

§  Those aged 15 to 24 (55%) are notably less likely than those in other age groups (65-70%) 

to be aware of side-effects.  

§  Those  who  finished  education  at  or  before  the  age  of  15  are  less  likely  to  give  the  correct 
answer, compared with those who continued their education up to or beyond the age of 20. 
However, the difference is smaller than for the other questions (62% compared with 69%). 

§  There is no difference according to personal use of antibiotics in the previous 12 months. As 
in  previous  questions,  those  who  received  information  (72%)  are  more  likely  to  give  the 
correct answer than those who did not (63%).  

35 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
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Report 

QB4.4

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you
think	it	is	true	or	false.	
Taking	antibiotics	often	has	side-effects	such	as	diarrhea	(%	-	EU)

e
u
r
T
=
r
e
w
s
n
a
t
c
e
r
r
o
C

66

62
69

55
65
70
67

62
67
69
57

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Yes
No

Yes
No

Taken	antibiotics	in	last	12	months

66
66

Received	information	about	antibiotics

72
63

Total base (N=27,969) 

e
s
l
a
F
=
r
e
w
s
n
a
t
c
e
r
r
o
c
n

I

14

15
14

20
16
13
13

14
15
14
18

17
13

13
15

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

20

23
17

25
19
17
20

24
18
17
25

17
21

15
22

36 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

5  Overall levels of knowledge on the use of antibiotics 

-Overall knowledge about antibiotics has remained constant since 2013- 

This section brings together the findings for each of the four individual questions testing knowledge 
about antibiotics. 

On average, only around a quarter (24%) of Europeans answered all four questions correctly, while 
around half (51%) gave at least three correct answers, and 94% gave at least one correct answer. 
The  European  average  of  correct  answers  is  2.5  out  of  4.  These  figures  are  very  similar  to  those 
obtained in 2013. 

The average number of correct answers varies between Member States in a manner that is broadly 
consistent  with  the  pattern  identified  for  each  of  the  four  individual  questions.  Finland  has  the 
highest average at 3.1, followed by the Netherlands, Sweden (both 3.0) and Luxembourg (2.9). 

The  lowest  average  is  observed  in  Italy  (1.9),  with  low  figures  also  found  in  Romania,  Bulgaria, 
Latvia and Greece (all 2.1). 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  none  of  the  countries  does  a  majority  of  those  polled  answer  all  four  questions  correctly. 
However,  there  are  significant  differences  between  individual  countries.  Respondents  in  Finland 
(46%)  are  the  most  likely  to  answer  all  four  questions  correctly,  followed  by  those  in  Sweden 
(41%), the Netherlands (37%), Denmark (36%), Luxembourg (35%) and the UK (34%). 

At the other extreme, respondents in Italy (12%), Latvia (12%) and Greece (13%) are least likely to 
give correct answers to all of the questions. 

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Report 

Proportion of respondents who gave four correct answers 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  12  Member  States,  the  proportion  giving  four  correct  answers  has  increased  since  2013.  The 
largest increase is found in Romania (+11 percentage points), followed by Ireland (+8), Finland and 
Cyprus (both +7). The largest decrease is found in Croatia (-8 percentage points). 

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Trend since 2013: Proportion of respondents who gave four correct answers 

Total base (N=27,969) 

There are clear socio-demographic  differences in the proportions that give four correct answers. 
These variations are consistent with the patterns described above in relation to the four individual 
questions: 

§  Overall  knowledge  of  antibiotics  is  greater  among  women:  27%  gave  four  correct  answers, 

compared with 21% of men. 

§  Those  aged  between  15  and  24  are  less  likely  than  older  respondents  to  give  four  correct 

answers (15% compared with 23-29%). 

§  The  higher  the  level  of  education,  the  more  likely  respondents  are  to  give  four  correct 
answers. More than a third (35%) of those who finished their education at the age of 20 or 
more  answered  all  questions  correctly,  in  comparison  with  15%  of  those  who  finished  their 
education no later than the age of 15. 

§  There is also a relationship between economic status and levels of knowledge: more than a 
quarter  of  those  who  almost  never  have  problems  paying  bills  (27%)  gave  four  correct 
answers, compared with 16% of those who have trouble paying bills most of the time. 

§  Respondents  who  have  used  antibiotics  themselves  in  the  previous  12  months  are  slightly 
less  likely  to  answer  all  four  questions  correctly  than  those  who  haven‘t  used  antibiotics 
(21% compared with 25%).  

§  Those who say they have received information about antibiotics are significantly more likely 
to  give  four  correct  answers  (34%  compared  with  19%  of  those  who  did  not  receive 
information).  

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Total base (N=27,969) 

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6  When should taking antibiotics stop after having begun a course 

of treatment? 

-Four in five recognise the need to complete the prescribed dose of antibiotics- 

Respondents were asked when they think you should stop taking antibiotics once you have begun a 
course  of  treatment.18 More  than  four  fifths  (82%)  correctly  answered  that  you  should  only  stop 
when you have taken all of the antibiotics as directed, while 15% say you can stop when you feel 
better. 

This is a new question that was not asked in previous surveys. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

In  six  countries,  at  least  nine  in  ten  respondents  say  that  you  should  only  stop  taking  antibiotics 
when you have taken all of the prescribed dose as directed. Respondents are most likely to say this 
in the Netherlands (94%), Finland and Sweden (both 93%). 

Respondents in Latvia are the least likely to say this (67%), followed by those in Lithuania (71%), 
Greece (71%), Bulgaria (72%), Cyprus (73%) and Poland (74%). 

18 QB5. When do you think you should stop taking antibiotics once you have begun treatment? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “When you feel 
better”, “When you have taken all of the antibiotics as directed”, “Other (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 

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Total base (N=27,969) 

Proportion of respondents who think that you should stop taking antibiotics when all antibiotics 
have been taken as directed 

Total base (N=27,969) 

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Socio-demographic variations are consistent with previous questions assessing knowledge about 
antibiotics: 

§  Women  are  more  likely  than  men  to  say  that  you  should  only  stop  taking  antibiotics  when 

you have taken all of the antibiotics as directed (85% compared with 79%). 

§  Those  aged  between  15  and  24  are  less  likely  than  older  respondents  to  say  this  (74% 

compared with 81-85%). 

§  The higher the level of education, the more likely respondents are to say that you should only 
stop when you have taken all of the antibiotics as directed. This applies to 87% of those who 
finished their education at the age of 20 or more, compared with 79% of those who finished 
their education no later than the age of 15. 

§  There  is  also  a  relationship  between  economic  status  and  levels  of  knowledge:  those  who 
almost  never  have  problems  paying  bills  (85%)  are  more  likely  to  say  this,  compared  with 
those who have trouble paying bills most of the time (75%). 

§  There  is  very  little  difference  according  to  whether  respondents  have  used  antibiotics 
themselves in the previous 12 months. Those who say they have received information about 
antibiotics are significantly more likely to say you should take all of the antibiotics as directed 
(88% compared with 80% of those who did not receive information).  

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Total base (N=27,969) 

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III.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORRECT USE OF ANTIBIOTICS  

The  third  set  of  questions  concerns  getting  information  about  the  correct  use  of  antibiotics.  The 
answers to these questions enable us to analyse the reach of the information, the most effective 
means of communication, and the extent to which the information has an impact. 

1  Taking information on board 

- A third of Europeans receive information about right use of antibiotics - 

Respondents were asked if they remembered receiving any information about the unnecessary use 
of antibiotics in the last 12 months.19
 Only a third (33%) of respondents say that they received such 
information. This is the same proportion as was recorded in 2013. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

There are substantial country-level differences on this question. In Finland, around two thirds (68%) 
of  respondents  recall  receiving  information  about  the  unnecessary  use  of  antibiotics,  and  at  least 
half of respondents recall getting information in Sweden (51%), Lithuania and France (both 50%).  

However,  in  nine  countries  less  than  a  quarter  of  respondents  recall  getting  information  about 
antibiotics. The lowest proportions are found in Italy (15%), Hungary (19%), Portugal and Denmark 
(both 20%). 

19 QB6 In the last 12 months, do you remember getting any information about not taking any antibiotics unnecessarily, for example, 
messages about not taking antibiotics in case of cold or flu? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “Yes”, “No”, “DK” 

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Total base (N=27,969) 

There have been some large country-level changes since 2013. The proportion of respondents who 
say  they  have  received  information  about  the  unnecessary  use  of  antibiotics  has  increased 
substantially in Finland (+25 percentage points), as well as in the Netherlands (+19) and Lithuania 
(+18). In total, 13 countries show an increase of more than two percentage points. 

By  contrast,  respondents  in  several  countries  are  much  less  likely  to  recall  information  than  in 
2013:  Denmark  (-22  percentage  points),  Croatia  (-17),  France  (-15),  Luxembourg  (-14)  and 
Italy (-13). 

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Total base (N=27,969) 

There  are  small  socio-demographic  differences  by  gender  and  age.  Women  (35%)  are  slightly 
more likely than men (31%) to have received information about antibiotics. Those in the youngest 
age group (15-24 year olds) are slightly less likely than older age groups to recall information (30% 
compared with 33-34%). 

The  main  difference  is  by  level  of  education.  Only  a  quarter  (24%)  of  those  who  finished  their 
education at or before the age of 15 say they received this type of information, compared with over 
two fifths (44%) of those who continued their education up to or beyond the age of 20. 

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Respondents who have taken antibiotics themselves in the previous 12 months are more likely than 
other respondents to say they remember getting information (39% compared with 30%). 

Finally, as discussed in the previous section, there is a link between recall of information and higher 
objective  knowledge  about  antibiotics.  Just  under  half  (46%)  of  those  who  answered  all  four 
questions about antibiotics correctly say they recall information, falling to 12% among those who 
did not answer any of the questions correctly. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

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2  Means of conveying information 

- Europeans receive information about antibiotics either from a doctor or the media - 

Those  respondents  who  said  they  received  information  in  the  last  12  months  about  not  taking 
antibiotics unnecessarily were asked to identify the source of this information.20

Respondents are most likely to say that they received the information from a doctor (32%). This is 
by far the most common of professional sources; one in ten say that they got the information from 
a pharmacist (10%), while 6% say it was from another health professional. 

Otherwise,  respondents  are  likely  to  have  got  their  information  from  the  media,  most  commonly 
from a television advertisement (27%) or the television news (26%). Around one in five (19%) got 
the  information  from  a  newspaper,  while  13%  obtained  information  from  the  Internet  or  online 
social media, and 11% from the radio.  

The other sources of information are friends or family members (12%) and leaflets or posters (9%). 

20 QB7. How did you first get this information about not taking any antibiotics unnecessarily? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “A doctor talked to you 
about it”, “A pharmacist talked to you about it”, “Another health professional (e.g. nurse or physio-therapist) talked to you about it”, “A 
family member or friend talked to you about it”, “You saw it on a TV advertisement”, “You saw it on the Internet or on online social 
media”, “You saw it in a leaflet or on a poster”, “You read it in a newspaper”, “You saw it on the TV news”, “You heard it on the radio“, 
“Other”, “Don’t know”. 
The results for the answers “A doctor talked to you about it”, “A pharmacist talked to you about it” and “Another health professional (e.g. 
nurse, physical therapist) talked to you about it” are regrouped into the answer “Professional or health care facility”. 
. 

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Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

There  is  substantial  country-level  variation  with  respect  to  sources  of  advice.  More  than  half  of 
respondents  in  Italy  (62%),  Hungary  (59%)  and  Croatia  (52%)  say  that  they  got  their  information 
from  a  doctor,  but  this  applies  to  less  than  a  quarter  of  respondents  in  the  Netherlands  (16%), 
Malta (23%) and Austria (23%). The proportion that got information from a pharmacist is also high 
in Hungary (24%) and Italy (22%), while respondents in Portugal and Sweden (both 16%) are most 
likely to have got information from another health professional. 

There  are  substantial  differences  between  Member  States  with  respect  to  media  and 
communication campaigns. Respondents in France (65%) are much more likely than those in other 
countries to say that they got information from a television advert, while only a small minority say 
this in Finland (5%), Denmark (7%), Sweden (8%) and Portugal (9%). The proportion that say they 
got  information  from  television  news  is  highest  in  Portugal  (56%),  Romania  (47%)  and  Slovakia 
(40%). 

Respondents are most likely to say they got information from newspapers in Austria (48%), Sweden 
(43%), Germany and Finland (both 39%), while information from the radio is most common in the 
Netherlands (31%), Sweden (25%) and Belgium (24%). 

Getting information from family or friends is most common among respondents in Croatia (29%), 
Bulgaria  (28%)  and  Slovakia  (26%).  Respondents  in  Belgium  (19%)  and  Luxembourg  (18%)  are 
most likely to say that they got information from a leaflet or poster. 

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Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

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Socio-demographic variations are as follows: 

§  Younger  respondents  (aged  15-24)  are  more  likely  than  older  respondents  to  have  got 
information  from  family  or  friends  (22%  compared  with  8-13%  in  older  age  groups).  By 
contrast,  older  respondents  are  more  likely  than  younger  respondents  to  have  used  media 
sources, specifically television news (31% among those aged 55 or over, compared with 19% 
of those aged 15-39) and newspapers (26% falling to 8% of 15-24 year olds). The exception 
is the Internet or online social media, which older respondents are less likely to mention as an 
information  source  (7%  of  those  aged  55  or  over  compared  with  15-19%  in  younger  age 
groups).  Respondents  aged  25-39  are  most  likely  to  have  got  information  from  a  doctor 
(37% compared with 30-32% in other age groups). 

§  Respondents who left education at or before the age of 15 are more likely to have obtained 
information  from  a  doctor,  compared  with  those  educated  up  to  or  beyond  the  age  of  20 
(38%  compared  with  30%).  However,  those  with  a  low  level  of  education  are  slightly  less 
likely to have got information from other sources, most notably the Internet or online social 
media (5% compared with 14%). 

§  Those  who  have  most  difficulty  paying  bills  are  more  likely  to  have  received  advice  from  a 
doctor (39%, compared with 31% of those who least often have difficulty paying bills). They 
are less likely to have got information from a newspaper (10% compared with 22%). 

§  A  doctor  is  by  far  the  most  common  source  of  information  among  respondents  that  have 
taken  antibiotics  themselves  in  the  previous  12  months  (42%).  Among  those  that  have  not 
taken  antibiotics  recently,  a  doctor  is  one  of  the  three  main  sources  (26%)  along  with 
television news (28%) and television adverts (27%). 

Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222)	

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3  Impact of the information on perception and behaviour 

-A third of Europeans changed their views after receiving information- 

Those respondents who said they received information about antibiotics were asked whether they 
had changed their mind about antibiotics as a result of that information.21
 Around a third (34%) of 
those who received information say that their views were changed by the information they received. 
This proportion is slightly lower than the figure obtained in the 2013 survey (36%). 

Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

Once  again  the  findings  show  substantial  country-level  differences.  In  four  countries,  more  than 
half  of  respondents  say  that  the  information  they  received  changed  their  views:  Cyprus  (70%), 
Bulgaria (60%), Romania and Portugal (both 59%). 

By contrast, less than a third of respondents say they have changed their views in Finland (23%), 
the Netherlands (25%), France (25%), Sweden (26%), Germany (29%), the UK (29%) and Belgium 
(31%). 

In general, the countries with the lowest levels of knowledge about antibiotics are also those where 
respondents  are  most  likely  to  say  that  their  views  have  been  changed  by  the  information  they 
have received. Equally, in countries where knowledge levels are highest, respondents are less likely 
to say that their views have changed. 

21 QB8. Did the information that you received change your views on antibiotics? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “Yes”, “No”, “Don’t know”. 

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Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

Across the EU as a whole, there has been a small decrease since 2013 (-2 percentage points) in the 
proportion that say the information they received changed their views on using antibiotics. However, 
there have been some large changes in individual countries. 

There  have  been  increases  in  nine  countries.  The  largest  increases  are  found  in  Portugal  (+21 
percentage points), Bulgaria (+13) and Cyprus (+10).  

12  countries  show  a  decrease  in  the  proportion  saying  the  information  has  changed  their  views, 
most notably Slovakia (-19 percentage points) and Poland (-13). 

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Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

The analysis of socio-demographic differences supports the general observation that those with 
lower levels of objective knowledge are more likely to have their views changed by the information 
they receive: 

§  Younger respondents are more likely than older respondents  to change their views (41% of 

15-24 year olds, falling to 31% of those aged 55 or over). 

. 

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§  Those who ended education at the age of 15 or earlier (37%) or between the age of 16 and 
19 (36%) are more likely to change their views than those who ended education at the age of 
20 or later (29%). 

§  Those who have trouble paying their bills at least from time to time (39%) are more likely to 

change their views than those who almost never have trouble paying bills (32%).  

§ 

Base: Respondents who have received information about not taking antibiotics unnecessarily (N=9,222) 

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Having  established  whose  views  were  changed  by  the  information  received,  we  now  turn  to  the 
question of how	those views were changed. It should be noted that this involves drawing on a small 
subset  of  the  overall  survey  sample.  As  a  result,  it  is  more  difficult  to  draw  conclusions  about 
further subsets at the level of countries or socio-demographic categories, as they may be based on 
sample sizes which are too small to generate statistically significant results. 

Those  respondents  who  said  they  had  changed  their  views  on  antibiotics  as  a  result  of  the 
information they had received were asked to indicate how their behaviour would change as a result. 
The  interviewer  read  out  several  options,  from  which  respondents  could  choose  as  many  as  were 
relevant.22

Two thirds (67%) of respondents whose views were changed by information on antibiotics say that 
as a result they will always consult a doctor about the need to take antibiotics. Two in five (41%) 
say they will no longer take antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor, and one in four (25%) 
say they will no longer self-medicate,  while slightly  fewer  (21%) say they will no longer use left-
over antibiotics.  

The question also included some less appropriate courses of action. Very few respondents say that, 
as  a  result  of  the  information,  they  will  use  antibiotics  against  the  flu  (5%)  or  that  they  will  give 
left-over antibiotics to relatives or friends when they are ill (3%). 

Base: Respondents who have changed their views based on this information (N=3,121) 

Given  the  small  sample  sizes,  some  caution  should  be  used  when  interpreting  the  findings  for 
individual countries, and percentage findings should be viewed as ‘indicative’ only. The sample sizes 
for each country range from 63 (Malta) to 236 (Lithuania). 

22

 QB9 On the basis of the information you received, how do you now plan to use antibiotics?  MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE. 

“You will always consult a doctor in situations when you think you need an antibiotic”, “You will no longer self-medicate with antibiotics”, 
“You will no longer take antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor”, “You will no longer keep left over antibiotics for next time you 
are ill”, “You will use antibiotics against the flu”, “You will give left-over antibiotics to your relatives or friends when they are ill”, “Other 
(SPONTANEOUS)”, “None (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 

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In almost all countries, more than half of respondents say they will consult a doctor to determine 
whether  they  need  an  antibiotic;  the  one  exception  is  Luxembourg  (48%).  The  largest  proportions 
are found in Portugal (79%), Finland (77%) and Sweden (75%). 

The proportion that says they will no longer self-medicate with antibiotics is highest in Italy (39%), 
Romania (38%) and Latvia (37%), while respondents in Cyprus (61%) and Romania (58%) are most 
likely to say they will no longer take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.  

Respondents  in  the  Czech  Republic  (32%),  Germany  (31%)  and  Denmark  (29%)  are  most  likely  to 
say that they will no longer keep left-over antibiotics for next time they are ill. 

QB9

of the information

On the basis
(MULTIPLE	ANSWERS	POSSIBLE)
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73
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61
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Base: Respondents who have changed their views based on this information (N=3,121) 

58 

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Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

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There  are  few  statistically  significant  socio-demographic  findings  on  this  question.  Young 
respondents  (aged  15-24)  are  more  likely  than  older  respondents  to  say  that  they  will  no  longer 
self-medicate  with  antibiotics  (30%  compared  with  23-24%  in  older  age  groups).  More  highly 
educated respondents are more likely to say they will always consult a doctor when they think they 
need  antibiotics  (70%  of  those  who  ended  education  at  the  age  of  20  or  above,  compared  with 
62% of those who finished education at or before the age of 15).  

Base: Respondents who have changed their views based on this information (N=3,121)	

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4  Desired information about antibiotics 

All  respondents  were  asked  about  the  topics  that  they  would  like  to  receive  more  information  on. 
They were presented with a list of five options, and were able to choose as many as they liked23. 

Around  a  quarter  of  respondents  say  they  would  like  more  information  on  the  medical  conditions 
for  which  antibiotics  are  used  (26%),  while  slightly  smaller  proportions  say  they  would  like 
information on resistance to antibiotics (23%), links between the health of humans, animals and the 
environment (23%) and how to use antibiotics (22%). Respondents are less likely to say that they 
would  like  to  receive  information  about  the  prescription  of  antibiotics  (13%).  However,  almost  a 
third of respondents say that they would not like to receive any information on any topic (32%). 

Total base (N=27,969) 

23 QB10 On which topics, if any,  would you like to receive more information? MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE. 
 “Resistance to antibiotics”, “How to use antibiotics”, “Medical conditions for which antibiotics are used”, “Prescription of antibiotics”, “Links 
between health of humans, animals and the environment” “Other (SPONTANEOUS)”, “None (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 

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Respondents  in  Greece  are  most  likely  to  say  that  they  would  like  information  on  the  medical 
conditions  for  which  antibiotics  are  used  (41%),  followed  by  those  in  Romania  (39%).  The  lowest 
proportions are found in the UK (15%) and Finland (17%). 

The highest proportion that would like information on resistance to antibiotics is found in Sweden 
(40%),  followed  by  Romania  (35%)  and  Denmark  (34%).  Respondents  in  Latvia  (10%),  Estonia 
(13%) and Hungary (14%) are least likely to want this type of information. 

Respondents  in  Sweden  (45%)  and  Denmark  (43%)  are  much  more  likely  than  those  in  other 
countries  to  want  information  on  the  links  between  the  health  of  humans,  animals  and  the 
environment. The lowest proportions are found in the UK (14%), Estonia and Portugal (both 16%).  

Information on how to use antibiotics is most frequently requested by respondents in Greece (44%) 
and  Cyprus  (40%),  while  the  lowest  proportions  are  found  in  Finland  (7%),  the  UK  (8%)  and  the 
Netherlands (9%). 

Respondents  in  Romania  (29%)  are  much  more  likely  than  those  in  other  countries  to  want 
information on the prescription of antibiotics. The lowest proportions are found in Denmark, Latvia 
and the UK (all 6%). 

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Findings are generally consistent across different socio-demographic groups. Respondents with a 
higher  level  of  education  are  more  likely  to  want  information  on  the  links  between  the  health  of 
humans, animals and the environment: 28% among those who finished their education at the age 
of 20 or above, compared with 15% of those who ended education at or below the age of 15. They 
are less likely to want information on how to use antibiotics (18% compared with 25%). 

Total base (N=27,969) 

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5  The most trustworthy sources of information 

-The vast majority of respondents see doctors as a trustworthy source of information on 
antibiotics- 

Respondents were asked to give their opinion on which sources of information about antibiotics are 
the  most  trustworthy.  The  interviewer  showed  the  respondent  a  card  with  a  number  of  options, 
from which the respondent could select a maximum of three.24

Respondents see medical professionals or health care facilities as the most trustworthy sources of 
information.  More  than  four  in  five  respondents  (84%)  identify  doctors  as  an  important  source  of 
information,  while  37%  would  use  a  pharmacy  to  get  trustworthy  information,  19%  would  get 
information  from  a  hospital,  and  15%  would  visit  an  official  health-related  website.  Some 
respondents would like to get information from a nurse (10%) or another health care facility (6%). 

Respondents  are  less  likely  to  opt  for  non-health-related  sources,  such  as  television  (5%),  family 
and friends (5%) or other health related websites (4%). 

The  response  options  have  been  modified  from  the  2013  survey,  so  it  is  not  possible  to  provide 
direct  comparisons  with  the  previous  findings.  However,  it  is  clear  that  respondents  continue  to 
value medical professionals or health care facilities ahead of other sources. 

24 QB11 Which of the following sources of information would you use in order to get trustworthy information on antibiotics? MAXIMUM 3 
ANSWERS. “A doctor”, “A nurse”, “A pharmacy”, “A hospital”, “Another health care facility”, “Family or friends”, “An official health related 
website (e.g. a website from the national government/public health body/European Union)”, “A health related personal blog”, “Another 
health related website”, “Online social media”, “TV”, “Newspapers or magazines”, “The radio” “Other (SPONTANEOUS)”, “You are not 
interested in finding information on antibiotics (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 

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Total base (N=27,969) 

The table below shows the country-level findings for the top five answers. In all countries, a large 
majority  of  respondents  see  doctors  as  a  source  of  trustworthy  information  on  antibiotics.  The 
highest  proportions  are  found  in  Spain  (92%),  Malta  (92%),  Greece  (91%),  Cyprus  (91%)  and 
Romania (90%). Respondents in Sweden (75%) are the least likely to choose doctors as a preferred 
source of information. 

There is more variation in the case of attitudes to pharmacies as a source of reliable information. 
More than half of respondents in the Netherlands (66%), Ireland (57%) and Finland (55%) said that 
pharmacies  are  trustworthy  sources,  while  less  than  a  quarter  hold  this  view  in  Spain  (23%)  and 
Italy (22%). 

As  for  hospitals  being  a  source  of  trustworthy  information,  proportions  are  highest  among 
respondents in Malta (34%), Greece (31%) and the Netherlands (31%). The lowest figure is found in 
Germany (8%). 

Respondents in Sweden (48%) are the most likely to say they would use an official health-related 
website, while respondents in Denmark (40%), the Netherlands (36%) and Finland (30%) are also 
much  more  likely  than  those  in  other  countries  to  choose  this  option.  The  lowest  proportions  are 
found in Croatia (6%), Portugal and Romania (both 7%). 

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Lastly,  there  is  also  some  variation  between  countries  where  nurses  are  concerned.  In  Sweden, 
around  a  quarter  (26%)  of  respondents  see  nurses  as  a  source  of  trustworthy  information,  as  do 
23% of respondents in Ireland and 20% in Croatia and Finland. However, this opinion is shared by a 
mere  3%  of  those  polled  in  Greece  and  in  Italy,  and  by  4%  of  respondents  in  Lithuania  and  in 
Germany. 

Top 5 Answers 
Total base (N=27,969) 

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Findings  are  generally  consistent  across  socio-demographic  groups,  although  there  are  some 
differences that relate to attitudes towards the Internet as a source of information on antibiotics.  

§  Respondents aged 55 years or older (9%) are half as likely as other age groups (18-22%) to 

see an official health-related website as a potential source of trustworthy information. 

§  Almost a quarter (23%) of those who finished education at the age of 20 or later say they 
would  visit  an  official  health-related  website,  compared  with  5%  of  those  who  finished 
education at the age of 15 or earlier. 

§  As might be expected, respondents who use the Internet every day are more likely to say they 
would  use  an  official  health-related  website  than  respondents  who  never  use  the  Internet 
(21%  compared  with  2%).  Consequently,  the  proportions  favouring  this  information  source 
vary  by  socio-demographic  groups  that  have  distinct  patterns  of  regular  Internet  use; 
specifically: 

§  Those  with  greater  objective  knowledge  about  antibiotics  are  also  more  likely  to  trust  this 
information  source  (20%  of  those  who  answered  all  four  questions  about  antibiotics 
correctly, falling to 7% of those who got no correct answers). 

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IV.  POLICY RESPONSE 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

This section focuses on the policy response, asking respondents at what level they think resistance 
to antibiotics should be tackled. 

1  Most effective level to tackle antimicrobial resistance  

-Europeans support action at all levels to tackle antibiotic resistance- 

Respondents  were  asked  at  what  level  they  think  it  is  most  effective  to  tackle  the  resistance  to 
antibiotics.25 

Europeans are aware that action is needed at all levels, with 35% in favour of action at global and 
EU level. 28% think that action should be taken at national/regional level, whereas 19% consider it 
should be tackled at the invididual level or within the family. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

25 QB12 At what level do you believe it is most effective to tackle antimicrobial resistance? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “At individual, family 
level”, “At regional level”, “At national level”, “At EU level”, “At global level”, “Action at all levels is needed (SPONTANEOUS)”, “Don’t know”. 

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In  18  countries,  the  most  popular  option  for  tackling  resistance  to  antibiotics  is  action  at  the  EU/ 
global level. Respondents in Sweden (64%) are by far the most likely to say this, followed by those 
in Denmark (56%), the Netherlands (54%) and Luxembourg (49%). However, a preference for EU or 
global action is much lower in Latvia (16%), Poland, Estonia (both 19%) and Hungary (20%).  

There is less variation by country in the proportion favouring action at the national or regional level. 
The  highest  proportions  are  found  in  Poland  (39%),  Italy,  Hungary  (both  38%)  and  Ireland  (37%), 
while the lowest proportions are found in Slovenia (13%) and Cyprus (14%). 

Around  half  of  respondents  in  Slovenia  (52%)  say  that  it  is  most  effective  to  tackle  antibiotic 
resistance at the individual level or within the family. This is much higher than in any other country, 
with  the  next  highest  proportions  seen  in  Latvia  (33%),  Romania  (32%)  and  France  (31%). 
Respondents  in  Italy  (8%),  Denmark  and  Sweden  (both  10%)  are  the  least  likely  to  favour  this 
option. 

In  total,  10%  of  Europeans  say  spontaneously  that  action  at  all  levels  is  needed.  This  is  highest 
among respondents in Bulgaria (20%), Germany (19%) and Estonia (18%).  

The proportion of ‘don’t know’ answers also varies by country, ranging from 18% in Estonia to 1% 
in Sweden. 

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Findings  are  generally  very  consistent  across  different  socio-demographic  groups  but  a  few 
partterns do emerge. For example, younger respondents are slightly more in favour of action being 
taken  at  the  national  or  regional  level  than  their  older  counterparts  (32%  of  those  aged  15-24 
compared  with  27%  of  those  aged  40  or  over).  On  the  other  hand,  respondents  aged  40-54  are 
significantly  more  likely  to  favour  action  at  the  EU  or  global  level  (39%  vs.  31-35%  across  other 
age groups). 

In terms of education, generally the longer one stays in full-time education, the more likely they are 
to think that action against antimicrobial resistance is most effective at the EU or global level (40% 
of those who left at the age of 20 or over compared with 30% who left before the age of 16).  

In  a  similar  vein,  those  who  displayed  higher  levels  of  knowledge  about  antibiotics  are  also  more 
likely  to  think  that  action  would  be  most  effective  at  the  EU  or  global  level.  For  example, 
respondents who gave four correct answers about antibiotics (43%) are significantly more likely to 
hold  this  view  than  those  who  have  no  correct  answers  (23%).  To  a  slightly  lesser  extent,  this 
pattern is also observed for action being taken at the national or global level. 

Respondents who received information about antibiotics in the last 12 months are also more likely 
to think that action is most effective at the EU or global level (39% compared with 33% of those 
who have not). 

Total base (N=27,969) 

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V.  USE  OF  ANTIBIOTICS  IN  AGRICULTURE  AND  THE  ENVIRONMENT  (ONE 

HEALTH) 

The final section of the report examines knowledge of and attitudes towards the use of antibiotics 
in agriculture and the environment. Respondents were asked whether they agree that sick animals 
should have the right to be treated with antibiotics, and were also asked whether they know about 
the EU ban on the use of antibiotics to stimulate growth in farm animals. 

1  The treatment of sick animals with antibiotics 

-More than half of Europeans agree that sick animals have the right to be treated with 
antibiotics- 

Respondents  were  asked  whether  they  agree  that  sick  animals  have  the  right  to  be  treated  with 
antibiotics  if  this  is  the  most  appropriate  treatment.26 More  than  half  of  Europeans  (56%)  agree, 
including around a fifth (19%) who totally agree. Around a third (34%) disagree, including 16% who 
totally disagree, while 10% do not give an opinion. 

Total base (N=27,969) 

Respondents in the UK and Finland (both 75%) are the most likely to agree that sick animals have 
the  right  to  be  treated  with  antibiotics  if  this  is  the  most  appropriate  treatment,  followed  by 
respondents  in  Portugal  (74%),  Ireland  and  Malta  (both  70%).  The  proportions  that  ‘totally  agree’ 
are highest in the UK (35%), Malta (35%), Finland (34%) and Ireland (34%). 

By  contrast,  more  than  half  of  respondents  disagree  with  the  statement  in  Slovenia  (54%)  and 
Luxembourg (52%). 

26 QB13 To what extent do you agree or disagree that sick farm animals should be treated with antibiotics if this is the most appropriate 
treatment? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “Totally agree”, “Tend to agree”, “Tend to disagree”, “Totally disagree”, “Don’t know”. 

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Looking at differences between socio-demographic groups, older respondents are less likely than 
younger respondents to agree that sick animals have the right to be treated with antibiotics if this 
is the most appropriate treatment: 53% of those aged 55 or over agree, compared with 58-60% in 
younger age groups. 

Those  with  higher  levels  of  education  are  more  likely  to  agree  with  the  statement.  Among  those 
who  finished  education  at  the  age  of  20  or  above,  three  in  five  (60%)  agree,  compared  with  half 
(50%) of those who ended education at or before the age of 15.  

Respondents who taken antibiotics themselves in the last year are slightly more likely to agree than 
those  who  haven’t  taken  antibiotics  (59%  compared  with  55%).  Those  with  a  higher  objective 
knowledge about antibiotics are more likely to give an answer, and are slightly more likely to agree 
with  the  statement  (59%  among  those  who  answered  all  four  statements  about  antibiotics 
correctly, falling to 45% of those who answered none correctly). 

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2  Ban on the use of antibiotics within the EU to stimulate growth in 

farm animals  

-Just over a third are aware of the EU ban on the use of antibiotics on farm animals- 

Respondents were asked whether they were aware that the use of antibiotics to stimulate growth in 
farm animals is banned in the EU.27 

Just over a third of Europeans (37%) say that they were aware of the EU ban, while the majority 
either say that they were not aware (60%) or did not know (3%). 

Total base (N=27,969) 

The Netherlands is the only country where a majority of respondents (60%) say they were aware of 
the  ban  on  the  use  of  antibiotics  within  the  EU  to  stimulate  growth  in  farm  animals.  The  next 
highest proportions are found in Finland (48%), Luxembourg (47%) and the Czech Republic (46%). 

Respondents  in  Estonia  are  the  least  likely  to  be  aware  of  the  ban  (20%),  with  relatively  low 
proportions also seen in Hungary (22%), Spain (26%), Greece (27%), the UK, Portugal and Malta (all 
28%). 

27 QB14 Do you know that within the EU using antibiotics to stimulate growth in farm animals is banned? ONE ANSWER ONLY. “Yes”, “No”, 
“Don’t know”. 

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There are few statistically significant socio-demographic findings on this question. Awareness is 
slightly  higher  among  men  than  women  (39%  compared  with  35%),  and  is  slightly  higher  in  the 
older age groups (38% of those aged 55 or over, compared with 33% of 15-24 year olds and 35% 
of  those  aged  25-39).  Awareness  of  the  EU  ban  on  the  use  of  antibiotics  to  stimulate  growth  in 
farm animals is higher among those who left education at a later stage. Among those who finished 
education at the age of 20 or above, 44% say they were aware of the ban, compared with 30% of 
those who ended education at or before the age of 15.  

Awareness  increases  along  with  objective  knowledge  about  antibiotics:  ranging  from  46%  among 
those who answered all four questions about antibiotics correctly, to 20% of those who answered 
none  correctly.  Respondents  who  have  received  information  about  the  misuse  of  antibiotics  are 
more likely to be aware of the ban than those who have not received information (47% compared 
with 32%). 

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CONCLUSION 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Report 

In the survey, a third (34%) of Europeans say that they took antibiotics in the previous 12 months. 
The  use  of  antibiotics  has  remained  at  a  similar  level  to  that  seen  in  the  2013  survey,  after  a 
marked decline between 2009 and 2013 (from 40% to 35%). Use of antibiotics varies considerably 
by country and between different socio-demographic groups. 

The  overwhelming  majority  of  respondents  obtain  antibiotics  from  their  health  care  provider,  but 
there  remains  a  persistent  minority  (5%  of  those  taking  antibiotics)  who  use  antibiotics  without 
prescription,  contrary  to  the  EU  recommendation  that  all  antibiotics  in  the  Member  States  be 
dispensed on prescription only.  

Overall knowledge  of  antibiotics remains rather low: around a quarter (24%) of Europeans are 
able  to  give  the  correct  answer  to  four  questions  on  this  topic,  similar  to  the  2013  survey.  In 
particular, less than half (43%) of Europeans know that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, 
and  only  just  over  half  (56%)  know  that  they  are  ineffective  against  colds  and  flu.  Indeed,  flu 
remains  one  of  the  most  commonly  cited  reasons  for  taking  antibiotics,  with  one  in  six  users  of 
antibiotics doing so (16%).  

There  is  a  link  between  knowledge  and  use  of  antibiotics:  those  with  greater  knowledge  are  less 
likely to use them. This can be seen in the variations by country and by socio-demographic groups. 
Knowledge  is  generally  lower  among  those  with  low  levels  of  education  and  worse  economic 
circumstances, and these groups are more likely to use antibiotics. 

Only  a  third  (33%)  of  respondents  recall  receiving  information  about  not  taking  antibiotics 
unnecessarily in the last 12 months, the same proportion as in 2013. Once again, there are large 
variations by country and by socio-demographic groups, reflecting the same patterns as seen above 
for use and knowledge.  

Those who have been exposed to information of any kind are generally more likely to have better 
knowledge about antibiotics than those who have not been. However, only a third (34%) of those 
Europeans who have received information say that the information they received – from whichever 
source – has led them to reconsider their use of antibiotics. 

Overall,  the  challenge  remains  the  ability  to  provide  effective  information  to  Europeans  who 
currently have low knowledge and awareness – and who are also more likely to use antibiotics and 
to use them incorrectly. The lack of change since the 2013 survey suggests that renewed effort will 
be needed to change public awareness and behaviour. 

Europeans are aware that action to tackle antimicrobial resistance is needed at all levels, with 35% 
in favour of action at global and EU level, 28% at national or regional level, whereas 19% consider 
it should be tackled at the invididual level or within the family. 

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Special Eurobarometer 445 

Technical 
specifications 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Between  the  9th  and  the  18th  of  April  2016,  TNS  opinion  &  social,  a  consortium  created  between  TNS 
political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the wave 85.1 of the EUROBAROMETER survey, on 
request  of  the  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION,  Directorate-General  for  Communication,  “Strategy,  Corporate 
Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit.  

The  wave  85.1  includes  the  SPECIAL  EUROBAROMETER  445  and  covers  the  population  of  the  respective 
nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 28 Member States and aged 
15 years and over.  

◊ 

TS 1 

	
 
  
 
 
 
 
Antimicrobial resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Technical 
specifications 

The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a 
number  of  sampling  points  was  drawn  with  probability  proportional  to  population  size  (for  a  total 
coverage of the country) and to population density. 

In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional 
units",  after  stratification  by  individual  unit  and  type  of  area.  They  thus  represent  the  whole  territory  of 
the  countries  surveyed  according  to  the  EUROSTAT  NUTS  II1 (or  equivalent)  and  according  to  the 
distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and 
rural areas.  

In  each  of  the  selected  sampling  points,  a  starting  address  was  drawn,  at  random.  Further  addresses 
(every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route" procedures, from the initial address. In each 
household,  the  respondent  was  drawn,  at  random  (following  the  "closest  birthday  rule").  All  interviews 
were  conducted  face-to-face  in  people's  homes  and  in  the  appropriate  national  language.  As  far  as  the 
data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) was used in those countries where 
this technique was available. 

For  each  country  a  comparison  between  the  sample  and  the  universe  was  carried  out.  The  Universe 
description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries 
surveyed,  a  national  weighting  procedure,  using  marginal  and  intercellular  weighting,  was  carried  out 
based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced 
in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS opinion & social applies the 
official  population  figures  as  provided  by  EUROSTAT  or  national  statistic  offices.  The  total  population 
figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed here. 

Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, 
rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, 
the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits: 

1 Figures updated in August 2015 

◊ 

TS 2 

	
 
  
 
 
 
																																																								
Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

QUESTIONNAIRE 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Questionnaire 

Q1 

 
 
  
 
 
 
	
 
Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Questionnaire 

Q2 

 
 
  
 
 
 
	
 
Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Questionnaire 

Q3 

 
 
  
 
 
 
	
 
Antimicrobial Resistance 

April 2016 

Special Eurobarometer 445 

Questionnaire 

Q4 

 
 
  
 
 
 
QB1

Have you taken any antibiotics orally such as tablets, powder or syrup in the last 12 months?
(%)

Yes

No

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

34

32

39

33

23

23

32

44

38

47

39

36

43

41

31

35

41

34

48

20

32

28

33

38

25

35

31

18

35

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-1

-6

2

0

-8

-4

-3

1

2

9

-5

4

7

-6

-8

-4

-2

5

0

-8

-1

2

-5

-9

-3

-6

-5

-6

-6

.

1
5
8
B
E

65

68

61

67

76

76

67

56

62

53

60

64

57

59

69

65

59

65

52

80

67

70

67

61

75

65

69

82

64

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

0

6

-2

0

7

3

2

-1

-2

-9

4

-4

-7

6

8

4

2

-6

0

8

0

-4

5

8

3

6

5

6

5

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T1QB2

How did you obtain the last course of antibiotics that you used?
(%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

From a
medical 
prescription

Administered by
a medical 
practitioner

You had some
left over from 
a previous course

Without 
prescription from
a pharmacy

.

1
5
8
B
E

73

84

30

70

62

84

60

59

49

81

85

79

66

63

79

26

85

88

55

66

86

75

74

59

87

91

81

42

66

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-14

1

-49

-21

-15

-5

-19

-22

-24

-3

-11

-11

-22

-21

-6

-17

-9

-3

-22

-16

4

-21

-14

-16

-5

-4

-12

-24

-21

.

1
5
8
B
E

20

11

57

26

32

11

31

36

30

13

11

9

28

23

8

66

11

3

42

29

8

16

18

25

10

6

15

56

28

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

12

2

46

19

15

2

18

26

20

5

10

5

21

17

1

15

8

2

21

14

-3

14

12

20

5

5

8

24

19

2

1

4

2

1

2

3

1

2

3

2

3

4

1

3

2

2

3

1

3

3

5

1

2

2

1

0

1

0

0

-2

4

2

0

1

1

-1

1

-1

1

2

1

1

-1

-1

-1

1

0

2

-2

4

-1

0

1

-1

0

0

-1

4

3

8

0

1

2

5

4

18

3

1

6

2

13

9

3

1

5

1

1

2

3

6

13

1

2

2

1

5

1

1

1

-1

-1

2

2

-2

3

0

0

2

0

3

6

1

1

0

0

0

1

2

4

-4

-1

0

2

0

3

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T2QB2

How did you obtain the last course of antibiotics that you used?
(%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

Without 
prescription
from elsewhere

Don't remember 
(SPONTANEOUS)

Don't 
know

Total
'From a
medical 
practitioner '

Total
'Not from a 
medical 
practitioner '

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

1

1

0

1

4

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

3

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

2

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

-1

-1

0

-1

1

0

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

-1

-2

1

0

-1

0

0

0

0

-1

1

0

0

-1

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

-1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

93

95

87

96

94

95

91

95

79

94

96

88

94

86

87

92

96

91

97

95

94

91

92

84

97

97

96

98

94

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-2

3

-3

-2

0

-3

-1

4

-4

2

-1

-6

-1

-4

-5

-2

-1

-1

-1

-2

1

-7

-2

4

0

1

-4

0

-2

.

1
5
8
B
E

7

5

12

3

6

5

9

5

20

6

4

10

6

14

13

8

3

9

2

5

6

9

8

16

3

3

4

2

6

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

-1

5

1

0

4

2

-4

4

-2

2

4

1

4

6

2

0

1

0

2

-1

7

3

-4

0

-1

4

0

2

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T3QB3

What was the reason for last taking the antibiotics that you used?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

Pneumonia
(an infection
causing an inflammation
of one or both lungs)

Bronchitis
(inflammation and 
swelling of the bronchi, 
the airways that carry 
airflow from the trachea 
into the lungs)

Rhinopharyngitis
(inflammation of the 
mucous membrane of 
the nose and pharynx)

.

1
5
8
B
E

6

5

11

7

25

7

8

2

6

3

3

5

4

5

5

6

7

12

2

9

10

9

7

8

9

5

5

11

5

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

1

0

5

0

1

2

0

-4

2

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

2

4

-2

-4

5

1

2

0

3

-1

0

3

1

.

1
5
8
B
E

18

21

25

20

3

19

11

16

12

12

19

12

27

8

11

22

20

12

11

6

23

24

7

16

13

26

16

5

12

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-3

4

-14

-3

-2

-2

0

4

4

0

-3

-3

0

-1

0

3

-2

2

-3

-11

2

-2

4

2

-6

-4

1

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

7

13

6

10

9

5

8

4

7

5

8

7

10

7

4

4

5

6

6

10

8

5

5

7

8

8

17

12

1

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-2

3

-6

-11

1

3

0

0

-1

-1

-2

-2

5

-1

2

-2

3

3

-6

2

-3

-2

2

2

3

-1

2

-1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T4QB3

What was the reason for last taking the antibiotics that you used?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

Flu

Cold

Sore throat

Cough

.

1
5
8
B
E

16

11

31

8

3

18

8

22

28

17

18

13

20

23

14

16

13

20

18

4

18

21

22

15

8

14

10

1

6

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-2

-6

-3

-8

-5

1

-6

2

6

-3

2

2

3

-8

-4

-5

-11

-4

-12

-2

-11

-1

0

-11

-2

-6

3

-5

-7

.

1
5
8
B
E

11

7

24

10

2

15

13

5

26

15

6

14

6

16

23

17

11

16

11

2

8

19

8

22

9

2

1

1

6

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-2

-2

1

5

-1

-2

-3

-7

3

-2

-4

-1

2

-8

-3

-2

3

-3

0

-2

-16

1

-3

-13

2

-3

-3

-2

-1

.

1
5
8
B
E

14

7

23

20

13

10

13

16

11

16

11

27

21

8

15

12

7

25

22

1

11

16

9

5

14

20

5

9

11

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

3

-3

6

8

4

3

4

0

-3

3

0

-3

5

-1

4

-1

1

-2

-8

-5

0

7

-6

-1

-9

-5

-2

0

3

.

1
5
8
B
E

9

5

27

12

5

9

12

10

16

4

8

9

16

5

8

9

6

15

11

5

9

8

3

8

9

12

5

4

6

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

-2

9

6

3

4

3

5

3

0

3

1

4

-2

1

3

1

-1

0

0

-5

3

-2

-1

1

-9

2

1

0

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T5QB3

What was the reason for last taking the antibiotics that you used?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

Fever

Headache

Diarrhea

Urinary tract 
infection

Skin or wound 
infection

.

1
5
8
B
E

11

6

28

9

6

10

6

8

21

10

5

2

25

5

3

13

6

17

11

1

16

14

3

9

11

16

4

2

2

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

4

2

12

-1

5

3

0

5

9

3

-2

1

14

-2

-1

5

-1

1

0

0

-3

7

-3

0

3

-7

1

0

-1

5

4

8

4

1

3

6

5

9

6

5

6

4

3

5

7

3

9

7

3

5

7

2

7

6

6

2

0

3

0

0

2

0

-4

1

0

2

2

1

-3

2

3

-2

1

4

-3

3

4

1

-1

2

-1

-4

2

-6

1

-3

0

1

2

1

1

0

1

1

1

3

1

2

3

2

3

1

2

5

4

1

1

1

1

2

1

0

1

1

2

0

0

-1

1

0

-1

0

1

0

2

0

0

3

0

-1

0

2

1

1

1

0

-2

0

2

0

-1

0

0

1

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

10

7

5

17

11

13

7

7

5

6

8

17

13

7

3

4

10

9

5

17

16

6

11

6

10

9

9

14

12

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

1

-1

0

3

-4

5

-1

-1

1

-2

-1

7

5

3

0

1

0

5

0

0

4

2

5

-1

0

2

2

-1

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

6

12

2

6

13

7

4

8

3

3

6

6

2

5

5

4

7

4

7

13

9

3

9

5

8

4

13

20

10

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-1

4

0

2

4

-2

-2

4

-1

-3

-1

1

-1

-12

0

0

-2

2

1

-2

2

1

1

2

-2

2

-4

6

-1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T6QB3

What was the reason for last taking the antibiotics that you used?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (%)

(ASK IF QB1=1)

Other
(SPONTANEOUS)

Don't
know

Ilness
only

Symptom
only

Ilness and 
symptom

.

1
5
8
B
E

23

21

9

15

28

24

37

22

20

35

28

16

10

28

28

21

26

14

27

39

16

13

30

30

26

16

22

29

30

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

2

6

0

7

10

4

10

5

1

10

3

-1

-2

5

11

0

2

5

7

17

7

-3

8

10

-3

7

1

-6

0

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

2

.

1
5
8
B
E

34

43

41

32

33

36

26

34

40

34

37

24

29

41

42

44

39

31

27

23

36

49

38

43

27

35

41

24

25

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-8

-5

-11

-19

-9

-10

-12

-9

-4

-7

-3

-6

-17

-1

-8

-7

0

-11

-1

-11

-9

-10

0

-5

5

-6

-4

1

-4

.

1
5
8
B
E

28

29

15

38

33

26

27

32

16

20

25

42

33

20

21

22

26

31

32

33

28

19

25

13

34

32

32

44

40

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

6

-1

15

1

3

4

6

-6

-7

0

3

2

-4

1

5

1

-1

0

0

10

3

-3

-1

-4

3

2

6

6

.

1
5
8
B
E

14

7

36

14

7

13

10

12

24

12

9

17

27

11

10

12

9

23

14

5

20

18

6

15

11

17

5

3

2

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

4

-7

13

-2

0

6

1

4

10

5

0

3

15

-2

0

1

0

7

-5

-4

-9

10

-2

-3

0

-3

1

-1

-3

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T7QB4.1

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
Antibiotics kill viruses (%)

Incorrect answer

Correct answer

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

46

39

59

60

36

45

46

36

75

48

29

46

60

53

60

57

25

50

64

31

63

52

61

58

47

52

31

22

38

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-3

-5

-5

2

-2

-3

-8

-4

5

-9

0

2

2

-14

2

-1

-6

-2

-3

-7

1

-2

-8

-12

2

-12

-8

-1

-3

.

1
5
8
B
E

43

54

26

30

56

44

37

57

20

37

59

44

28

33

26

34

63

42

27

62

28

34

30

29

43

39

61

72

56

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

3

2

5

-6

-1

8

1

6

-5

8

0

-4

-5

12

-1

7

5

4

4

6

-1

2

11

14

-2

8

6

-2

4

.

1
5
8
B
E

11

7

15

10

8

11

17

7

5

15

12

10

12

14

14

9

12

8

9

7

9

14

9

13

10

9

8

6

6

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T8QB4.2

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
Antibiotics are effective against colds and flu (%)

Incorrect answer

Correct answer

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

36

23

53

30

18

37

30

26

66

45

26

43

38

49

49

46

26

50

52

17

43

53

52

51

33

37

14

18

23

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-5

-6

-4

-3

-2

-12

-7

-5

4

-1

-2

3

-2

-21

1

-4

-4

-6

-2

-7

-18

-4

-9

-4

2

-6

-8

-3

-3

.

1
5
8
B
E

56

73

34

63

72

57

54

70

30

48

67

49

49

43

38

46

66

42

39

79

49

34

38

39

60

58

79

79

73

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

4

4

4

0

-3

14

0

6

-4

4

3

-6

-3

19

0

8

2

5

2

6

16

0

11

6

-1

5

5

2

3

.

1
5
8
B
E

8

4

13

7

10

6

16

4

4

7

7

8

13

8

13

8

8

8

9

4

8

13

10

10

7

5

7

3

4

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T9QB4.3

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
Unnecessary use of antibiotics makes them become ineffective (%)

Correct answer

Incorrect answer

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

84

84

80

90

94

91

79

88

93

85

84

84

58

92

83

85

90

74

95

96

81

81

87

79

91

91

94

98

92

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-4

2

0

-3

4

-1

3

0

-2

-8

-3

-10

0

4

1

1

-2

5

2

-2

-4

8

21

-4

3

4

0

3

.

1
5
8
B
E

8

12

4

6

2

4

6

6

3

5

9

8

17

5

8

10

6

16

2

2

10

9

6

9

5

5

3

1

5

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

2

-1

1

1

0

-3

-4

-1

0

5

0

-1

2

0

4

-3

2

-2

-1

2

1

-1

-6

3

-4

-3

-1

-2

.

1
5
8
B
E

8

4

16

4

4

5

15

6

4

10

7

8

25

3

9

5

4

10

3

2

9

10

7

12

4

4

3

1

3

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T10QB4.4

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
Taking antibiotics often has side-effects such as diarrhea (%)

Correct answer

Incorrect answer

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

66

60

72

63

63

72

76

65

71

70

62

69

56

71

65

77

71

64

71

62

76

72

66

62

67

76

79

55

63

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-7

3

0

-6

5

-1

8

-1

9

-4

3

-12

1

0

8

-7

2

4

1

4

-6

3

17

-7

1

4

-7

-1

.

1
5
8
B
E

14

23

5

16

8

10

6

11

10

9

19

13

19

8

15

12

10

18

6

15

13

12

12

12

14

14

10

17

19

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-1

-4

0

-8

-5

0

-3

-8

-2

-6

2

-7

3

3

2

1

-1

-1

-6

-6

0

3

1

-5

0

-2

-9

-6

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

20

17

23

21

29

18

18

24

19

21

19

18

25

21

20

11

19

18

23

23

11

16

22

26

19

10

11

28

18

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T11QB4.5

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
(%)

Average of
correct answers

Average of
incorrect answers

Don't know

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

62

67

53

62

71

66

61

70

53

60

68

62

48

60

53

61

72

55

58

75

59

55

55

52

66

66

79

76

71

26

25

30

28

16

24

22

20

39

27

21

27

33

29

33

31

17

34

31

16

32

32

33

33

24

27

14

14

21

12

8

17

10

13

10

17

10

8

13

11

11

19

11

14

8

11

11

11

9

9

13

12

15

10

7

7

10

8

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T12QB4.6

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
(%)

At least one
correct answer

0 correct 
answer

1 correct 
answer

2 correct 
answers

3 correct 
answers

.

1
5
8
B
E

94

95

89

97

98

97

92

96

95

93

96

94

83

96

92

95

97

90

97

99

93

91

93

90

96

96

98

99

97

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-2

3

1

-1

4

-1

0

-1

0

-1

-1

-9

1

3

3

-2

-1

2

0

0

-3

6

12

-2

1

3

0

1

.

1
5
8
B
E

6

5

11

3

2

3

8

4

5

7

4

6

17

4

8

5

3

10

3

1

7

9

7

10

4

4

2

1

3

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

2

-3

-1

1

-4

1

0

1

0

1

1

9

-1

-3

-3

2

1

-2

0

0

3

-6

-12

2

-1

-3

0

-1

.

1
5
8
B
E

13

11

16

13

11

11

12

8

19

14

12

10

16

13

19

15

9

17

17

8

12

12

16

20

11

10

6

8

9

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-2

0

0

2

3

-7

2

-5

2

-5

1

-2

-1

-6

0

-1

-2

-5

-4

-1

-3

0

-5

-6

1

-4

0

2

-2

.

1
5
8
B
E

31

24

39

35

22

30

29

23

45

30

23

37

38

41

37

34

18

35

41

20

37

43

41

35

31

32

15

19

24

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-1

0

-2

1

3

-1

-3

-5

0

-6

1

4

2

-9

3

-5

-6

3

0

-6

-8

-2

0

2

3

-3

-4

1

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

27

31

19

33

28

30

29

35

18

28

30

27

17

24

24

28

34

19

23

34

29

21

21

19

28

25

31

32

30

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

0

3

2

-5

5

-2

4

-2

6

0

5

-8

9

0

7

8

-1

4

1

8

1

5

5

-3

2

0

1

0

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T13QB4.6

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
(%)

4 correct 
answers

At least one
wrong answer

At least one
answer DK

Average

.

1
5
8
B
E

24

29

15

16

36

25

23

31

13

20

31

20

12

18

12

19

35

20

16

37

15

15

15

15

26

29

46

41

34

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

-2

2

-4

-2

5

3

8

-1

4

-3

-8

-2

7

-1

4

-3

4

2

6

2

-2

6

11

-3

5

7

-2

2

.

1
5
8
B
E

64

59

71

72

47

63

60

53

82

66

54

68

75

70

78

72

49

70

76

48

76

71

76

73

61

64

43

42

55

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-3

-5

-3

2

-4

-5

-9

-10

0

-5

3

6

-2

-11

5

0

-3

-2

-2

-9

-5

-2

-4

-12

0

-8

-11

-6

-2

.

1
5
8
B
E

31

24

40

30

37

30

38

30

25

33

30

26

39

33

34

23

31

27

32

30

23

32

31

37

26

17

20

31

23

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

2

15

0

12

16

-7

15

-1

4

-2

2

5

11

2

-2

-9

7

-3

3

6

-3

8

-6

-13

3

3

7

14

1

.

1
5
8
B
E

250

270

210

250

280

260

250

280

210

240

270

250

190

240

210

240

290

220

230

300

230

220

220

210

260

260

310

300

280

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

10

-10

10

0

-20

30

0

20

-10

20

-10

-10

-30

30

0

20

0

10

10

20

10

-10

30

60

-10

10

20

-10

10

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T14QB5

When do you think you should stop taking antibiotics once you have begun a course
of treatment?
(%)

r
e
t
t
e
b

l

e
e
f
u
o
y
n
e
h
W

15

9

21

8

8

9

13

12

27

14

19

15

21

24

27

24

14

20

13

5

12

20

14

18

11

15

4

5

12

n
e
k
a
t

e
v
a
h
u
o
y
n
e
h
W

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

e
h
t

f
o

l
l

a

82

90

72

90

91

87

82

86

71

84

79

81

75

73

67

71

84

76

87

94

85

74

85

78

86

84

93

93

86

d
e
t
c
e
r
i
d
s
a

r
e
h
t
O

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

1

0

1

0

0

1

0

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

2

0

1

2

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

2

1

6

2

1

3

5

1

1

1

2

3

3

2

4

5

1

2

0

1

3

5

1

4

2

0

2

1

1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB6

In the last 12 months, do you remember getting any information about not taking antibiotics
unnecessarily, for example for a cold or the flu?
(%)

Yes

No

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

33

48

22

30

20

42

28

34

27

23

50

24

15

24

34

50

45

19

27

41

32

29

20

21

44

38

68

51

31

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

0

-4

-2

4

-22

8

6

-2

-1

3

-15

-17

-13

-3

11

18

-14

2

-4

19

10

6

8

-8

7

6

25

1

0

.

1
5
8
B
E

65

51

73

68

79

55

69

66

73

77

49

74

82

76

66

50

54

79

73

59

66

67

79

78

55

58

31

48

68

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

-2

3

-3

-6

21

-11

-9

2

1

-3

14

15

10

3

-11

-18

13

-4

4

-19

-12

-10

-9

7

-8

-10

-26

-2

-1

2

1

5

2

1

3

3

0

0

0

1

2

3

0

0

0

1

2

0

0

2

4

1

1

1

4

1

1

1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T16QB7

How did you first get this information about not taking any antibiotics unnecessarily?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

(ASK IF QB6=1)

d
e
k
a
t

l

r
o
t
c
o
d
A

t
i

t
u
o
b
a
u
o
y
o
t

d
e
k
a
t

l

t
s
i
c
a
m
r
a
h
p
A

t
i

t
u
o
b
a
u
o
y
o
t

h
t
l
a
e
h
r
e
h
t
o
n
A

e
s
r
u
n

.

.

g
e
(

l

a
n
o
i
s
s
e
f
o
r
p

)
t
s
i
p
a
r
e
h
t
-
o
i
s
y
h
p
r
o

t
i

t
u
o
b
a
u
o
y
o
t
d
e
k
a
t

l

r
o
r
e
b
m
e
m
y
l
i

m
a
f

A

l

d
e
k
a
t
d
n
e
i
r
f

t
i

t
u
o
b
a
u
o
y
o
t

n
o
t
i

w
a
s
u
o
Y

t
n
e
m
e
s
i
t
r
e
v
d
a
V
T

a

t
i

w
a
s
u
o
Y

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

32

34

49

42

44

25

35

31

34

48

25

52

62

31

32

34

48

59

23

16

23

34

35

41

43

38

38

26

30

10

10

16

19

6

10

11

15

11

6

6

17

22

6

7

14

9

24

12

6

15

9

13

17

17

9

8

5

8

6

4

13

6

7

6

8

10

2

6

2

9

8

10

3

5

4

7

8

4

6

6

16

13

7

6

15

16

7

12

6

28

21

16

11

23

11

12

9

9

29

14

12

13

19

11

13

8

13

18

17

15

16

18

26

16

15

5

27

43

12

12

7

11

17

26

36

22

65

22

35

11

26

24

26

18

34

19

12

20

9

23

19

13

5

8

18

i

a
d
e
m

l

a
i
c
o
s

e
n

i
l

n
o
n
o

n

i

t
i

w
a
s
u
o
Y

r
e
t
s
o
p
a
n
o
r
o
t
e
l
f
a
e

l

a

9

19

4

9

9

8

7

14

10

3

7

11

10

13

6

11

18

5

16

7

11

10

7

7

10

8

10

4

17

r
o
t
e
n
r
e
t
n

I

e
h
t
n
o

13

7

8

18

13

18

26

10

18

4

5

17

17

14

17

19

12

16

14

19

21

19

6

10

18

16

15

19

8

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB7

How did you first get this information about not taking any antibiotics unnecessarily?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

(ASK IF QB6=1)

t
i

d
a
e
r
u
o
Y

r
e
p
a
p
s
w
e
n
a
n

i

t
i

w
a
s
u
o
Y

s
w
e
n
V
T

e
h
t
n
o

t
i

d
r
a
e
h
u
o
Y

i

o
d
a
r

e
h
t
n
o

r
e
h
t
O

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

19

21

6

22

21

39

19

16

8

6

8

14

7

7

12

10

20

4

10

30

48

10

7

5

24

17

39

43

12

26

21

36

32

31

32

19

14

29

14

19

26

16

29

25

36

22

23

19

30

35

21

56

47

36

40

28

38

20

11

24

3

15

9

9

13

20

4

3

15

5

5

9

12

13

16

5

10

31

16

7

2

15

9

10

8

25

5

7

5

3

4

10

8

11

4

6

9

4

4

2

15

8

3

8

4

6

12

6

8

2

1

6

2

11

14

8

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1

0

1

1

2

2

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

0

1

2

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

r
o

l

a
n
o
i
s
s
e
f
o
r
P

y
t
i
l
i
c
a
f

e
r
a
c
h
t
l
a
e
h

40

39

56

55

48

34

43

45

40

56

27

60

68

39

36

43

52

72

33

22

34

46

48

56

46

45

48

37

38

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB8

Did the information that you received change your views on using antibiotics?
(%)

(ASK IF QB6=1)

Yes

No

Don't know

.

1
5
8
B
E

34

31

60

47

35

29

44

48

40

41

25

45

45

70

37

48

38

48

47

25

42

39

59

59

45

49

23

26

29

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

-2

-7

13

4

8

0

-8

-1

-4

8

-2

-8

-7

10

-6

-3

6

2

-6

0

7

-13

21

4

-5

-19

2

-8

-1

.

1
5
8
B
E

65

69

34

52

63

70

52

52

60

59

74

54

53

30

61

49

62

50

52

75

57

55

41

41

53

50

75

74

70

.
f
f
i

D

.

-
1
5
8
B
E

.

4
9
7
B
E

.

1
5
8
B
E

3

8

-16

-4

-8

0

5

5

5

-7

2

8

8

-10

6

5

-5

-4

8

0

-4

10

-20

16

6

18

-2

9

0

1

0

6

1

2

1

4

0

0

0

1

1

2

0

2

3

0

2

1

0

1

6

0

0

2

1

2

0

1

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T19QB9

On the basis of the information you received, how do you now plan to use antibiotics?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

(ASK IF QB6=1)

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a
h
t
i

w

t
l
u
s
n
o
c

s
y
a
w
a

l

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

s
n
o
i
t
a
u
t
i
s
n

i

r
o
t
c
o
d
a

i

k
n
h
t
u
o
y
n
e
h
w

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a
d
e
e
n
u
o
y

r
e
g
n
o

l

o
n

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

67

62

69

73

72

73

61

63

64

71

73

62

60

69

58

55

48

54

70

71

52

53

79

63

54

65

77

75

67

e
t
a
c
i
d
e
m

-
f
l
e
s

25

23

33

31

31

26

21

18

12

18

30

23

39

33

37

13

19

11

12

29

33

17

11

38

18

26

12

21

18

r
e
g
n
o

l

o
n

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

e
k
a
t

n
o
i
t
p
i
r
c
s
e
r
p
a

t
u
o
h
t
i

w

r
o
t
c
o
d
a
m
o
r
f

p
e
e
k

r
e
g
n
o

l

o
n

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

41

50

39

43

51

43

42

34

55

31

54

34

32

61

34

33

49

33

41

43

41

27

17

58

43

34

38

52

40

l
l
i

e
r
a
u
o
y

e
m

i
t

t
x
e
n
r
o
f

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

r
e
v
o
t
f
e

l

21

19

15

32

29

31

21

12

17

11

26

16

15

27

14

9

23

13

15

21

23

16

7

19

25

18

20

22

18

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB9

On the basis of the information you received, how do you now plan to use antibiotics?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

(ASK IF QB6=1)

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

e
s
u

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

u
l
f

e
h
t

i

t
s
n
a
g
a

r
e
v
o
-
t
f
e

l

e
v
i
g

l
l
i

w
u
o
Y

r
u
o
y
o
t

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

s
d
n
e
i
r
f

r
o
s
e
v
i
t
a
e
r

l

l
l
i

e
r
a

y
e
h
t
n
e
h
w

r
e
h
t
O

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

e
n
o
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

5

4

3

6

4

7

7

13

3

3

3

5

10

6

13

6

5

9

4

2

10

3

5

3

4

2

13

2

4

3

2

0

3

3

3

0

8

0

1

1

4

6

2

5

2

1

10

3

0

4

10

7

3

2

1

0

1

5

3

1

1

3

7

2

4

0

0

3

2

1

4

1

8

6

8

8

5

3

9

3

2

1

8

3

3

3

3

2

4

2

1

0

4

3

4

0

2

1

3

0

3

5

4

7

1

1

4

3

2

1

0

4

1

2

3

1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

3

1

2

0

2

1

0

3

0

0

0

4

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T21 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB10

On which topics, if any, would you like to receive more information?
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

e
c
n
a
t
s
i
s
e
R

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a
o
t

o
t

w
o
H

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

e
s
u

s
n
o
i
t
i
d
n
o
c

l

a
c
i
d
e
M

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a
h
c
i
h
w

r
o
f

d
e
s
u
e
r
a

n
o
i
t
p
i
r
c
s
e
r
P

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a

f
o

h
t
l
a
e
h
e
h
t
n
e
e
w
t
e
b
s
k
n
i
L

23

24

20

24

34

23

13

25

33

16

21

26

26

28

10

20

30

14

22

24

29

26

21

35

22

25

17

40

15

22

20

27

21

13

26

10

19

44

25

16

25

33

40

13

20

18

17

34

9

27

23

19

36

16

21

7

21

8

26

25

32

37

28

25

26

24

41

19

24

31

31

36

36

27

27

27

31

19

27

29

34

39

25

30

17

30

15

13

14

19

7

6

12

7

14

20

10

11

15

20

16

6

9

12

12

13

8

16

14

14

29

15

13

8

15

6

s
l
a
m
n
a

i

,
s
n
a
m
u
h
f
o

23

26

20

24

43

28

16

21

25

19

27

23

18

35

17

17

28

17

26

33

31

17

16

28

21

20

30

45

14

t
n
e
m
n
o
r
i
v
n
e

e
h
t
d
n
a

r
e
h
t
O

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

e
n
o
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

3

0

1

3

5

2

2

3

3

4

4

3

3

4

3

4

5

3

4

4

4

2

1

4

8

5

2

3

1

32

29

25

23

24

39

42

31

17

42

27

18

20

16

34

35

20

34

18

39

27

23

27

15

33

23

40

20

55

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

4

1

10

5

2

2

12

5

0

4

5

6

6

0

3

5

2

3

7

2

2

11

5

2

2

5

2

1

2

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T22 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB11

Which of the following sources of information would you use in order to get trustworthy 
information on antibiotics?
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)

r
o
t
c
o
d
A

84

87

79

82

86

83

87

81

91

92

86

84

77

91

84

81

89

84

92

83

83

78

89

90

84

83

81

75

85

e
s
r
u
n
A

10

10

8

13

15

4

19

23

3

11

11

20

3

7

7

4

9

9

8

9

10

8

16

15

16

13

20

26

18

y
c
a
m
r
a
h
p
A

37

47

29

44

45

43

37

57

38

23

42

32

22

27

32

39

38

40

35

66

45

27

37

35

43

39

55

43

42

h
t
l
a
e
h
r
e
h
t
o
n
A

y
t
i
l
i
c
a
f

e
r
a
c

6

3

4

5

2

4

3

5

8

16

4

4

11

5

5

8

4

4

11

4

8

6

8

5

4

2

6

9

2

s
d
n
e
i
r
f

r
o
y
l
i

m
a
F

5

2

10

6

7

6

6

6

5

1

3

5

3

4

6

8

6

9

2

4

8

7

2

4

7

9

4

4

4

l

a
t
i
p
s
o
h
A

19

22

15

24

29

8

11

17

31

16

22

16

19

19

18

16

25

15

34

31

25

20

16

26

12

13

18

18

24

l

d
e
t
a
e
r
-
h
t
l
a
e
h

l

a
i
c
i
f
f
o
n
A

t
e
s

e
t
i
s
b
e
w
a

.

.

g
e
(

e
t
i
s
b
e
w

l

a
n
o
i
t
a
n
e
h
t

y
b
p
u

15

15

11

14

40

17

15

11

12

9

13

6

15

16

9

12

16

12

9

36

16

10

7

7

13

12

30

48

17

h
t
l
a
e
h
c
i
l

b
u
p
/
t
n
e
m
n
r
e
v
o
g

i

)
n
o
n
U
n
a
e
p
o
r
u
E

/
y
d
o
b

l

d
e
t
a
e
r
-
h
t
l
a
e
h
A

g
o
b

l

l

a
n
o
s
r
e
p

1

1

2

2

1

1

2

2

1

1

2

1

3

3

2

2

1

2

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

0

0

0

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T23 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB11

Which of the following sources of information would you use in order to get trustworthy 
information on antibiotics?
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)

l

d
e
t
a
e
r
-
h
t
l
a
e
h
r
e
h
t
o
n
A

e
t
i
s
b
e
w

4

3

6

7

8

5

6

3

4

4

4

2

3

7

4

8

4

3

6

7

6

7

4

2

4

6

6

7

3

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

i

a
d
e
m

l

a
i
c
o
s

e
n

i
l

n
O

3

2

3

3

4

6

4

3

3

0

1

4

3

4

4

3

3

3

2

3

4

3

2

1

3

4

4

4

1

s
r
e
p
a
p
s
w
e
N

s
e
n
i
z
a
g
a
m

r
o

i

o
d
a
r

e
h
T

r
e
h
t
O

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

d
e
t
s
e
r
e
t
n

i

t
o
n
e
r
a
u
o
Y

n
o
i
t
a
m
r
o
f
n

i

i

g
n
d
n
i
f
n

i

i

s
c
i
t
o
b
i
t
n
a
n
o

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

3

3

3

3

2

5

3

2

1

1

6

2

4

0

6

3

3

3

1

5

4

3

3

1

2

4

5

9

1

1

1

1

2

0

1

1

1

0

1

2

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

2

1

3

1

1

0

0

1

4

2

1

1

2

1

1

0

0

1

1

2

2

1

0

2

2

1

0

1

4

1

2

3

1

4

4

12

4

1

5

3

1

4

1

3

7

7

1

3

5

1

6

1

1

5

6

5

2

4

4

2

1

0

V
T

5

4

13

9

2

3

4

2

3

2

5

7

6

5

4

8

2

7

3

2

5

9

8

5

2

12

3

6

2

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T24 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB12

At what level do you believe it is most effective to tackle the resistance to antibiotics?
(%)

l

e
v
e

l

l

a
u
d
i
v
i
d
n

i

t
A

y
l
i

m
a
f

e
h
t
n
h
t
i

i

w

r
o

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

19

21

14

13

10

15

19

29

16

18

31

24

8

23

33

22

20

22

23

15

13

18

15

32

52

16

25

10

24

l

e
v
e

l

l

a
n
o
g
e
r

i

t
A

7

5

4

7

5

7

4

11

4

5

4

12

10

3

10

9

1

8

3

7

12

12

5

7

2

8

6

7

6

l

e
v
e

l

l

a
n
o
i
t
a
n
t
A

21

22

26

24

20

13

22

26

31

19

21

22

28

11

23

20

16

30

27

20

16

27

26

24

11

24

24

14

20

l

e
v
e

l

U
E

t
A

10

15

11

11

14

12

6

8

13

10

7

9

11

8

5

15

17

8

11

15

16

8

10

8

10

15

5

13

4

l

e
v
e

l

l

l

a
b
o
g
t
A

25

26

11

34

42

28

13

19

24

30

26

16

21

38

11

22

32

12

25

39

31

11

22

16

13

21

32

51

29

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

s
l
e
v
e

l

l
l

a

t
a
n
o
i
t
c
A

d
e
d
e
e
n
s
i

10

9

20

5

6

19

18

2

7

6

2

13

13

8

6

6

6

11

5

2

7

11

15

7

8

10

4

4

9

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

8

2

14

6

3

6

18

5

5

12

9

4

9

9

12

6

8

9

6

2

5

13

7

6

4

6

4

1

8

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB13

To what extent do you agree or disagree that sick farm animals should be treated with antibiotics 
if this is the most appropriate treatment?
(%)

e
e
r
g
a

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

19

15

17

18

29

17

14

34

18

21

13

17

8

25

16

21

11

14

35

28

13

12

26

29

13

10

34

32

35

e
e
r
g
a
o
t
d
n
e
T

37

42

37

41

40

33

36

36

43

29

37

42

36

22

36

46

34

39

35

34

38

48

48

31

29

33

41

29

40

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
o
t
d
n
e
T

18

25

13

21

18

24

17

12

17

14

21

18

17

13

22

15

23

16

12

23

26

15

11

12

28

27

14

18

10

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
y
l
l

a
t
o
T

16

14

17

15

8

20

15

8

14

18

21

16

26

31

16

10

29

21

11

12

18

9

5

17

26

22

8

19

7

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

10

4

16

5

5

6

18

10

8

18

8

7

13

9

10

8

3

10

7

3

5

16

10

11

4

8

3

2

8

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

56

57

54

59

69

50

50

70

61

50

50

59

44

47

52

67

45

53

70

62

51

60

74

60

42

43

75

61

75

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

34

39

30

36

26

44

32

20

31

32

42

34

43

44

38

25

52

37

23

35

44

24

16

29

54

49

22

37

17

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QB14

Do you know that using antibiotics to stimulate growth in farm animals is banned
within the EU?
(%)

Yes

No

Don't know

EU28

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

HR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

37

37

30

46

38

42

20

44

27

26

40

33

39

33

32

41

47

22

28

60

42

42

28

30

35

43

48

41

28

60

60

57

51

61

55

74

53

71

72

58

66

54

62

67

58

52

73

71

39

56

51

70

68

62

53

51

59

70

3

3

13

3

1

3

6

3

2

2

2

1

7

5

1

1

1

5

1

1

2

7

2

2

3

4

1

0

2

    Antimicrobial Resistance   April 2016 Tables Special Eurobarometer 445  														           T27