Twelfth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The objective is to evaluate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) knowledge and find out how health value judgment (HVJ) and economic value judgment (EVJ) behaviors affect antibiotic use; and understand if access to information on AMR implications may influence perceived AMR mitigation strategies. We conducted an observational study comprising 1,600 adult health seekers in two of Ghana’s top-tier public teaching hospitals. Outcome measures include 1) the levels of knowledge of the health and economic implications of AMR; 2) HVJ and EVJ behaviors influencing antibiotic use; and 3) differences in perceived AMR mitigation strategy between participants with and without exposure to the intervention. Results: Participants had a general knowledge of the health and economic implications of antibiotic use and resistance. However, more than half of them disagree that AMR could lead to reduced productivity/indirect cost 71% [95%CI: 66% – 76%], increased provider cost 87% [95%CI: 84% – 91%], and cost borne by carers of AMR patients/societal costs 59% [95%CI: 53% – 64%]. Both HVJ and EVJ behaviors influence participants to use antibiotics, but the latter was a better predictor (reliability co-efficient >0.87). Participants exposed to the intervention were more likely to recommend restrictive access to antibiotics (p<0.01) and pay slightly more for a health treatment strategy that reduces their risk of AMR in the medium to long term (p<0.01) than those not given the information. Access to AMR information at the point of care could be a powerful intervention to mitigate the prevalence of AMR and its associated health and economic implications.