Current educational strategies addressing antibiotic resistance: a bibliometric analysis

Microorganisms have the potential to induce diseases characterized by rapid transmission and high mortality rates. Today, there persist medical unresolved issues, including the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. This phenomenon stands as one of the paramount global threats to public health in the twenty-first century. A primary exacerbating factor contributing to antibiotic resistance is the misinformation concerning their irresponsible utilization. The lack of information is not only evident in the adult population but is also a problem observed in both school and university-level education. The present study aims to analyze global scientific production regarding teaching strategies to address the issue of antibiotic resistance by using the Web of Science database. The total amount of papers focused on this (13,637) represent only a 2.2% of the total mount related to antibiotic resistance (615,025). Countries with significant economic influence such as the USA or China lead the way on this topic. However, less economically powerful nations from Africa and Asia are also making remarkable contributions. The number of studies focused on elementary and higher education is relatively low (611 and 453, respectively), and it has not increased in the last few years. Nevertheless, the primary objective of these studies appears to be well-defined: to raise awareness and promote prevention as the main teaching strategy. The results underscore the need to integrate strategies emphasizing the responsible use of antibiotics, along with the importance of prevention and knowledge. In addition, our bibliometric data analysis could be of great assistance in promoting international collaboration and developing effective solutions.