Antibiotic use and beliefs about antibiotics in Poland: a public opinion survey

Overuse of antibiotics accelerates antibiotic resistance, threatening modern medicine. Antibiotic use in Poland is among the highest in Europe and requires targeted interventions to address key influences on antibiotic use. As beliefs and motivations influence health-related behaviours, it is important to understand people’s beliefs, motivations and behaviours related to antibiotics. This survey aims to identify the self-reported antibiotic use, psychological and social influences on antibiotic use, and potential associations between use, influences and demographic characteristics. The research question is: What are the self-reported behaviours and beliefs related to antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among the general public in Poland? This is an observational study using an exploratory survey design. N=1000 adults in Poland will be randomly sampled using registered mobile phone numbers to ensure representativeness of the Polish general population by sex, age, education, and place of residence. A structured questionnaire will be developed based on the literature and pilot testing. Data will be collected using the questionnaire administered through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). The questions will cover demographic items, self-reported antibiotic use, and beliefs/opinions about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, logistic regression and linear regression modelling. Results will be presented narratively and in tables. The study is conducted at SWPS University in Wroclaw, Poland.