New UAE public opinion survey reveals 3 out of 4 believe that antimicrobial resistance poses major health concern

• The findings demonstrate a positive shift in antibiotic-taking adherence and awareness, with 80% of people in the UAE always or often completing the antibiotic course as prescribed by their doctor

Dubai-- A new public survey conducted by YouGov, commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the global, science-led healthcare company, reveals that 71% of people living in the UAE believe that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health problem that can affect anyone.

Results from the survey, which featured over 1,000 respondents from the UAE and representative of the Emirates’ demographics, showed that despite the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s (MOHAP) efforts towards antibiotic awareness campaigns over the last three years, there is still a need for further education, with 9 out of 10 people believing it important for doctors, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical companies to educate people about AMR. This finding highlights a strong public trust in the local health system, signaling the need for continued awareness around this health topic as half of the respondents, when asked, were not familiar with the term “antimicrobial resistance”.

Dr. Najiba Abdulrazzaq, Internist, Co-Chair of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee at MOHAP, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global challenge that compromises the effective prevention and treatment of bacterial infections, especially in the more vulnerable and at-risk patient groups. Having an informed and responsible society is crucial in overcoming this problem. It is clear from these findings that the UAE public understands the importance of tackling AMR.”

When it comes to the proper use and adherence of antibiotics, 86% of respondents believe that people should use antibiotics only when they are prescribed by a doctor, and 4 out of 5 respondents state that they always or usually complete the antibiotic course as prescribed by their doctor or as mentioned on a medicine leaflet. However, in terms of storage and disposal of antibiotics, the survey shows that over half of the respondents (53%) keep leftover antibiotics at home. Furthermore, a third of the respondents reveals that they use the leftover antibiotics without consulting their physician.

Dr Averyan Vasylyev, Medical Director at GSK in the Gulf, said: “The findings show that the vast majority recognize the wider health issue and the importance of advances in research and development in AMR. The public believes that pharmaceutical companies have a key role to play in public health, with almost 9 in 10 of respondents stating that pharmaceutical companies should continue to invest in research to develop new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacteria and vaccines that can prevent bacterial infections.”

The survey also finds that 71% of people listed healthcare professionals as their main source of information when it comes to AMR and antibiotics use, while 35% listed pharmaceutical companies’ websites, followed by media (TV, YouTube, news) as stated by almost 30% of respondents.

Dr. Abdulrazzaq, also added that: “The survey emphasizes the importance of physicians and pharmacists in increasing patient awareness about antibiotic resistance and helping patients understand the need to follow the instructions and prescriptions, but also dispose of their antibiotics suitably. Healthcare professionals play a vital role in preventing antibiotic misuse. Collaboration between doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and the government is essential to ensure that we minimize public burden of AMR and its consequences on our ability to treat bacterial infections.”

Antibiotics are viewed as one of the greatest discoveries in human history, as they kill and prevent the growth of bacteria, helping clear infections in patients. However, their misuse is accelerating the process of AMR, wherein certain bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, resulting in bacterial infections that are difficult to treat. According to the World Health Organization, AMR represents one of the biggest current threats to global health and development[1].

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*YouGov is a leading market research company, with the largest research online panel in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, with hundreds of thousands of people enrolled in their surveys across 21 countries. The survey, which was commissioned by GSK and rolled out as an online survey, aimed to assess the awareness levels of more than 1,000 respondents, representative of the UAE demographics, around antibiotics, as well as unveil their perceptions and attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance.

*Polls are the reflection of public opinions, while interpretation of such data and further extrapolations have to be taken with caution.

About AMR awareness in the UAE

In May 2015, a delegation from the UAE, led by H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, attended the 68th World Health Assembly in Geneva, CH, where all Member States adopted the Global Action Plan on AMR[2]. A study at a tertiary referral hospital in Al Ain Emirate also revealed that there was a significant decrease in the percentage of resistance of antibiotics over time[3].

About GSK

GSK is a leading healthcare company on a mission to help people do more, feel better and live longer. Regionally and globally, we have a proven track-record for providing medicines, vaccines and consumer products. GSK has a 300-year global legacy and more than 65 years of local presence in the GCC, having been providing greater access and innovation to patients and consumers ever since.

Media Enquiries:
Wael Al Kubbani
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Wael.AlKubbani@hkstrategies.com 

© Press Release 2021