309 Factors influencing antibiotic use among ethnic minority communities in the UK: a qualitative study

Abstract OP 11: Determinants of Health Disease and Interventions 3, B207 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Aims Inappropriate antibiotic use is one of the main reasons for antibiotic resistance (AMR) worldwide. Rates of AMR are steadily rising, including in the United Kingdom (UK), although figures show differences in the burden of AMR experienced by different racial and ethnic groups. We aimed to 1) ascertain what factors contribute to behaviours around antibiotic use among ethnic minority groups in the UK and 2) propose areas for future research and intervention to reduce AMR-related health inequalities in different ethnic groups. Methods This qualitative study comprised four focus groups with people living in Leicester, UK. Participants were aged ≥18 years, belonged to an ethnic minority group (i.e. any group except White British) with no restrictions on migration status. We followed a thematic framework analysis, guided by the Modified Health Belief model (HBM) for public antibiotic use to analyse the transcripts. Results We recruited 28 participants (females=24), aged 19-75 years (median, 41), from 13 different countries. Most identified as Asian/Asian British (n = 12) and White-European (n = 9). Antibiotic use in different ethnic minority groups results from the complex interplay of factors, such as age (younger generations less likely to rely on antibiotics), education and income, knowledge of antibiotic use and AMR, perceived severity of the illness, perceptions around benefits of antibiotics, risk appraisal, access to antibiotics, prescription behaviour of doctors, influence of social norms and policies, access to health services and awareness campaigns. Conclusion Our study highlights the complexity of factors at play, at an individual, interpersonal and societal level around antibiotic (mis)use. While this presents a picture of antibiotic use from a patient/consumer perspective, more work is needed to understand the possible influence of ethnicity (and other demographic variables) in prescribing behaviour of professionals. Future interventions may include culturally-sensitive, co-produced campaigns to raise awareness of AMR and disseminate these through various media.