Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111446

Dana L. Alden, PhD, College of Business, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2404 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808 956-8565, dalden@hawaii.edu, Alan Tice, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii, 1380 Lusitana Street, Suite 709, Honolulu, HI 96813, and John T. Berthiaume, MD, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 98-1005 Alania Street, Aiea, HI 96701.

Research indicates that inappropriate antibiotic use contributes significantly to increasing microbial resistance. Other evidence suggests that this problem is more acute for certain special focus populations with large numbers of recent immigrants from Asian countries.

Our first study, a random sample survey of 504 respondents in a western U.S. county, found that Asian Americans versus whites had lower antibiotic knowledge and higher perceived need for antibiotics, controlling for education/age. Findings also suggested that greater discomfort among some Asian groups with two-way communication between patient and physician may increase the challenge of addressing inappropriate antibiotic use in those populations.

An intervention was performed in 8 clinical practices of high-prescribing physicians. The intervention consisted of educational materials only versus educational materials plus a “cold pack” that contained local ethnic remedies noted in focus groups held earlier.

The interventions were provided to 336 patients (76% Asian and 10% Hawaiian Pacific Islander) who presented with likely viral respiratory infections. Surveys of patients before and after their visit with the physicians indicated overall improvement in appropriate attitudes toward antibiotic use (p<.001) but no clear benefit from the ethnic “cold pack.”

In-depth interviews with participating physicians are underway to better understand study results and to develop more effective interventions that will decrease inappropriate antibiotic use.

Learning Objectives: After completion of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify significant differences between ethnic and white patients in terms of knowledge about and perceived need for antibiotics in treating upper respiratory infections;
• Evaluate the costs and benefits of using a “social marketing plus education” intervention approach in addressing public health community issues among special focus populations;
• Understand the challenges of developing and implementing effective interventions aimed at special focus populations.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation