Differing terminology used to describe antimicrobial resistance can influence comprehension and subsequent behavioural intent
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Despite global campaigns, the public’s understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a global emergency remains limited. Behaviour change is crucial in preserving antimicrobials but requires improved understanding of AMR at a population level.
Methods
Members of the public co-designed intervention arms, selecting three alternatives to AMR to be evaluated in a four-armed online randomised behavioural experiment. The primary outcome was attitudes towards AMR. Secondary and exploratory outcomes included comprehension, behavioural intent and recall.
Results
In April 2024, 4296 participants completed the online survey. Antibiotic Resistance is the most effective terminology for attitudes towards AMR (p < 3.95E-06), comprehension (p = 0.013) and recall (p < 0.0003). Both Antibiotic Resistance and The Antibiotic Crisis reduce behavioural intent to stop a course of antibiotics early.
Conclusions
Alternative terminology to describe AMR can impact attitudes, comprehension and behavioural intent towards antimicrobial use. Co-designing such terminology with the public can be an effective way utilising meaningful language in public health campaigns.
Despite global campaigns, the public’s understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a global emergency remains limited. Behaviour change is crucial in preserving antimicrobials but requires improved understanding of AMR at a population level.
Methods
Members of the public co-designed intervention arms, selecting three alternatives to AMR to be evaluated in a four-armed online randomised behavioural experiment. The primary outcome was attitudes towards AMR. Secondary and exploratory outcomes included comprehension, behavioural intent and recall.
Results
In April 2024, 4296 participants completed the online survey. Antibiotic Resistance is the most effective terminology for attitudes towards AMR (p < 3.95E-06), comprehension (p = 0.013) and recall (p < 0.0003). Both Antibiotic Resistance and The Antibiotic Crisis reduce behavioural intent to stop a course of antibiotics early.
Conclusions
Alternative terminology to describe AMR can impact attitudes, comprehension and behavioural intent towards antimicrobial use. Co-designing such terminology with the public can be an effective way utilising meaningful language in public health campaigns.
Date Issued
2025-04-29
Date Acceptance
2025-04-04
Citation
Communications Medicine, 2025, 5
ISSN
2730-664X
Publisher
Nature Portfolio
Journal / Book Title
Communications Medicine
Volume
5
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2025 Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
License URL
Identifier
10.1038/s43856-025-00849-z
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
146
Date Publish Online
2025-04-29