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farming, while a minority (24 %) see the causes in the use
of antibiotics in humans. Of those who see the cause of
resistance in the use of antibiotics in humans, the most
common cause is given as erroneous prescription by the
doctor (43 %). A third of them suspect incorrect use of the
drugs by the patients.
The high level of awareness of the problem among
the general public can also be attributed to the pres-
ence of the topic in the media. The BfR media analy-
sis of 3,373 articles showed that the number of reports
about antibiotics and resistant germs rose steadily in the
six years from 2008 to 2013 and reached its climax in
2012 with 789 articles. With articles that gave more de-
tailed information about antibiotics and resistant bacteria
(1,922 in total), the number of reports which made im-
plicit reference to the dangers rose by 120 % between
2008 and 2013 to 196 articles, while the number which
made explicit reference to the dangers rose by 81 % to
165 articles. Reporting on health hazards focused on
topics related to the theme of “People” which presum-
ably attracted more consumer attention to the problems
and which also corresponds with the comparatively high
level of concern. The transfer of bacteria in hospitals was
also mentioned most often in articles which thematised
dangers to human health.
Overall, the results show that there is a distinct and in
some instances growing awareness of the occurrence
and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the general pub-
lic as well as the media. Although the findings of the pop-
ulation survey and media analysis do not contradict the
results of the risk assessment, the general public should
be given even more specific options for taking action to
stem the problem in future. Accordingly, the BfR is recom-
mending that consumers only eat meat that has been well
heated and that they observe the rules of kitchen hygiene
in order to prevent the transfer of germs to other foods.
The awareness of the problems among the general public
and in the media can be seen here as a valuable resource
for successful risk communication.
>>
There is a growing awareness among the general
public and in the media for the occurrence and spread of
antimicrobial resistance. The cause of it is seen to lie
mainly in the area of livestock farming.
What does the general population know about resistance
to antibiotics? The BfR addressed this question in two
perception research projects.
Risk Communication
