Preservation of antibiotics in Czech households and attitudes towards self-medication with antibiotics in the Czech population.

Abstract

Self-medication with antibiotics is one of the factors that can influence the process of antibiotic resistance. The results of a sample survey conducted by the Public Opinion Research Centre in the period June-August 2024 on a representative sample of the population of the Czech Republic aged 15 and over map the experience with self-medication with antibiotics and attitudes towards the use of antibiotics without medical consultation. At the same time, they provide an overview of the storage of unused antibiotics from previous treatment, which can be used for future self-medication. In 13.5 % of households in the Czech Republic, there are antibiotics that are not currently used, and these are mostly leftovers from previous treatment. Only 10.6% of respondents reported personal experience with self-medication with antibiotics without consulting a doctor. 18.4 % of respondents agree with the opinion that antibiotics can be administered without medical consultation in some cases. In international comparison, the Czech Republic is one of the countries with a lower proportion of the population storing unused antibiotics. These findings provide important information for public health policy formulation and education about the risks associated with antibiotic self-medication.