Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 25th Nov. World Health Organization on Friday has warned against the misuse of antibiotics which could result in up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050 due to antimicrobial resistance.
WHO said that AMR is emerging as a silent pandemic, as 1 of the 10 major global public health threats, with an estimated 5 million deaths annually associated with bacterial AMR worldwide.
WHO-Europe conducted a survey involved 8,221 participants from 14 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The most common reasons for taking the antibiotics included colds (24 per cent), flu-like symptoms (16 per cent), sore throat (21 per cent) and cough (18 per cent) symptoms often caused by viruses against which antibiotics are not effective.
The findings published in the journal Frontiers also showed that medical practitioners prescribed or directly administered the majority (67 per cent) of the antibiotics.
Across the 14 countries, a third (33 per cent) of respondents consumed antibiotics without a medical prescription, it stated.
WHO said in some countries, over 40 per cent of the antibiotics were obtained without medical advice.
The survey highlighted lack of awareness among common people half (43 per cent) incorrectly said antibiotics are effective against viruses (they are not).
Robb Butler, Director of WHO/Europe’s Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health, in a statement “This research clearly shows the need for education and awareness raising,” said.
Danilo Lo Fo Wong, Regional Adviser for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance added that “Conserving the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines requires interventions at many levels, such as timely vaccination, improved hygiene and reduction of inappropriate prescribing.”
As global efforts to control AMR intensify, social and behavioural sciences are emerging as crucial yet underutilized areas of knowledge and expertise that can guide interventions in AMR control, radically increasing impact.
“Other drivers of AMR have their roots in the social and cultural norms learned in communities, for example, not completing a course of antibiotics in order to save some for the next time you fall ill, or sharing with a sick relative or neighbor. T.
“His learned behavior can take time to change, and it’s imperative that behavioural and cultural insights are used to the full when planning interventions,” Butler said.
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