目標：抗生素使用不當會使細菌產生抗藥性。本文報導民眾對抗生素的認知及用藥行為。方法：以台灣地區20歲以上成年人為調查對象的母群體進行隨機電話訪問。調查資料包括民眾基本社會人口學資料、對抗生素的認知及過去的用藥行為。結果：在1507位成功的受訪者中，有1279(84.9%)人知道或有聽過抗生素，548位(36.4%)受訪者自己或家中小孩在過去半年內有服過抗生素的經驗。抗生素的認知得分和教育程度有相關，國中以下教育程度的受訪者其抗生素認知是最差。有57.3%的人不遵醫囑用藥，病症緩和了即停止服用；在過去6個月用過抗生素的人中，更高達70.1%。但這種不當用藥行為和抗生素認知程度的相關不顯著。未經醫師處方自行去藥房購買抗生素者在症狀緩和時，會自行停藥的比例也較經醫師處方者高，分別為94.5%和66.9%(P<0.001)。結論：民眾對抗生素的認知與其教育程度有關。不遵從醫囑服藥的民眾，較會自我醫療，或主動要求醫師給予抗生素治療。需要積極適時介入。
Objectives: Inappropriate usage of antibiotics has been associated with bacterial antibiotic resistance. This study reported the medication behaviors and the knowledge of taking antibiotics for adults in Taiwan. Method: With random telephone dialing system, we interviewed adults aged 20 years and above to collect information of their sociodemographic characteristics, and knowledge and use of antibiotics. Results: Among 1507 adults interviewed, 1279 persons (84.9%) knew or had heard of antibiotics, and 548 persons (36.4%) and/or their children aged less than 18 years had taken antibiotics in the last six months. Knowledge scores of antibiotics increased among those with more education. Near 60% of respondents were self-reported non-compliant with physician's order to complete the entire medication course. Among those with antibiotics prescription in the last 6 months, 70.1% did not complete the medication if the symptom had become alleviative. Individuals who were more likely non-compliant with physician's order were those who had purchased antibiotics from drugstores with no prescription, compared with those with the prescription (94.5% vs. 66.9%) (p<0.0001). However, there was no significant association between knowledge level and the inadequate antibiotics medication. Conclusion: Good knowledge does not assure of adequate medication. The challenge of achieving better compliance with antibiotics use among general population is more complex than just education.
