309 Factors influencing antibiotic use among ethnic minority communities in the UK - a qualitative study

Sep 30, 2026

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309 Factors influencing antibiotic use among ethnic minority communities in the UK presents a qualitative analysis of determinants of inappropriate antibiotic use linked to rising AMR. The study targets how behaviors around antibiotic use are shaped by individual knowledge and risk appraisal, perceived illness severity and antibiotic benefits, and access issues including prescription practices, social norms, health service availability, and awareness campaigns. Four focus groups in Leicester are analyzed using thematic framework methods guided by a Modified Health Belief model to identify levels from individual to societal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Future interventions

vi36 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 complex interplay of factors, such as age (younger generations less likely to rely on antibiotics), education and income, knowledge of antibiotic use and AMR, perceived severity of the illness, perceptions around benefits of antibiotics, risk appraisal, access to antibiotics, prescription behaviour of doctors, influence of social norms and policies, access to health services and awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Our study highlights the complexity of factors at play, at an individual, interpersonal and societal level around antibiotic (mis)use. While this presents a picture of antibiotic use from a patient/consumer perspective, more work is needed to understand the possible influence of ethnicity (and other demographic variables) in prescribing behaviour of professionals. Future interventions may include culturally-sensitive, co-produced campaigns to raise awareness of AMR and disseminate these through various media. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.099 309 Factors influencing antibiotic use among ethnic minority communities in the UK: a qualitative study Luisa Silva1,2, Mayuri Gogoi1,2, Zainab Lal1,2, Paul Bird1,3, Nisha George1, Daniel Pan1,2,4, Rebecca Baggaley1,2,5, Holly Reilly1,2, Barbara Czyznikowska6, Laura Nellums7, Manish Pareek1,2,4 1Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom 2Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom 3Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom 4Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom 5Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom 6Centre for Ethnic Health Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom 7College of Population Health, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States OP 11: Determinants of Health Disease and Interventions 3, B207 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00-18:00 Aims: Inappropriate antibiotic use is one of the main reasons for antibiotic resistance (AMR) worldwide. Rates of AMR are steadily rising, including in the United Kingdom (UK), although figures show differences in the burden of AMR experienced by different racial and ethnic groups. We aimed to 1) ascertain what factors contribute to behaviours around antibiotic use among ethnic minority groups in the UK and 2) propose areas for future research and intervention to reduce AMR-related health inequalities in different ethnic groups. Methods: This qualitative study comprised four focus groups with people living in Leicester, UK. Participants were aged 􀀂 18 years, belonged to an ethnic minority group (i.e. any group except White British) with no restrictions on migration status. We followed a thematic framework analysis, guided by the Modified Health Belief model (HBM) for public antibiotic use to analyse the transcripts. Results: We recruited 28 participants (females¼24), aged 19-75 years (median, 41), from 13 different countries. Most identified as Asian/Asian British (n ¼ 12) and White-European (n ¼ 9) . Antibiotic use in different ethnic minority groups results from the

FAQs

What is the main goal of the study on antibiotic use in ethnic minority communities in the UK?

The study aims to identify factors contributing to behaviors around antibiotic use among ethnic minority groups and to propose areas for future research and interventions to reduce AMR-related health inequalities.

How was the qualitative study conducted and analyzed?

It comprised four focus groups with participants living in Leicester, UK. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic framework analysis guided by a Modified Health Belief model.

What kinds of factors influence antibiotic (mis)use across different levels?

Findings emphasize complexity at individual, interpersonal, and societal levels, including knowledge and perceptions about antibiotics, perceived illness severity and benefits, access to antibiotics and health services, prescription behavior, and influences of social norms and policies.

Sep 30, 2026

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