Knowledge and reported use of antibiotics amongst school-teachers in New Zealand / Conocimiento y uso comunicado de antibióticos entre profesores de escuela en Nueva Zelanda

Gaps in public knowledge about antibiotics have led to calls for public education campaigns about antibiotics, including education of school children. Objective: This study investigates New Zealand primary school teachers' current level of knowledge about antibiotics, to assess whether this is adequate for providing accurate education for children. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six primary school teachers from 39 schools in four cities were interviewed about their knowledge and understandings of antibiotics, using a questionnaire. Results: Teachers reported having little current involvement with antibiotics. There were gaps in the understanding of antibiotics amongst many of the teachers. Only about 60% knew that antibiotics were useful only in bacterial infections, many believed antibiotics were useful for colds and flu, and many did not know about antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, teachers largely reported appropriate patterns of antibiotic use. Conclusion: If teachers are to educate children about antibiotics, basic education about antibiotics and resistance will be required for school teachers (AU)

Las lagunas en el conocimiento del público sobre antibióticos han llevado a llamadas de atención para realizar campañas sobre antibióticos, incluyendo la educación de niños en escuela. Objetivo: Este estudio investiga el nivel actual de conocimiento sobre antibióticos de los profesores de escuelas primarias en Nueva Zelanda, para evaluar si son adecuados para proporcionar educación adecuada a los niños. Métodos: Se entrevistó, utilizando un cuestionario, a 266 profesores de escuelas primarias en 39 escuelas de 4 ciudades sobre sus conocimientos e ideas de antibióticos. Resultados: Los profesores informaron tener poco conocimiento de antibióticos. Había lagunas en su comprensión de los antibióticos entre muchos profesores. Sólo el 60% sabía que los antibióticos eran útiles solo en infecciones bacterianas, muchos creían que los antibióticos eran útiles en gripe y resfriado, y muchos no sabían nada sobre resistencias a antibióticos. Por el contrario, los profesores informaron sobre patrones de uso de antibióticos adecuados. Conclusión: Si se pretende que los profesores eduquen a los niños sobre antibióticos, se requerirá una formación básica sobre antibióticos y resistencias para los profesores de escuela (AU)

Knowledge and reported use of antibiotics amongst school-teachers in New Zealand.

UNLABELLED: Gaps in public knowledge about antibiotics have led to calls for public education campaigns about antibiotics, including education of school children. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates New Zealand primary school teachers' current level of knowledge about antibiotics, to assess whether this is adequate for providing accurate education for children. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-six primary school teachers from 39 schools in four cities were interviewed about their knowledge and understandings of antibiotics, using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Teachers reported having little current involvement with antibiotics. There were gaps in the understanding of antibiotics amongst many of the teachers. Only about 60% knew that antibiotics were useful only in bacterial infections, many believed antibiotics were useful for colds and flu, and many did not know about antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, teachers largely reported appropriate patterns of antibiotic use. CONCLUSION: If teachers are to educate children about antibiotics, basic education about antibiotics and resistance will be required for school teachers.