Testing Interventions Designed to Improve How Members of the General Public Follow Instructions to Take Antibiotics

Summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health challenge. Due to overuse of antibiotics, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, which creates infections that can't be treated by modern medicine. To combat AMR, the public need to both know that AMR is an issue and know what actions they can take to address AMR.

When patients are prescribed antibiotics, the information provided (and how this is provided) is likely to be influential on whether they are taken correctly, or if behaviours that contribute to antimicrobial resistance (such as not finishing the course) predominate.

This study, a large online experiment involving 7,000 people across the UK, aims explore the influence of what information and how it is provided. The study looks at different ways of presenting information on antibiotic packets-from clear instructions to warnings and even scannable QR codes with extra details.

The main goals are to see if these changes can help participants understand how to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. The investigators also want to see if it helps participants understand what antibiotic resistance is and their role in preventing it.

By understanding what works best, the investigators hope to find simple, effective ways to help everyone use antibiotics wisely, protecting these vital medicines for the future.

Conditions

• Antibiotic Use

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioural Message

Participants are presented with an image of an antibiotic packet, that contains information about the behaviour "take antibiotics exactly as prescribed". This can be delivered to participants via a QR code, or a warning message on the packet.

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioural message + positive framing

Participants are presented with an image of an antibiotic packet, that contains information about the behaviour "take antibiotics exactly as prescribed" and information about AMR, framed in a positive manner. This can be delivered to participants via a QR code, or a warning message on the packet.

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioural message + negative framing

Participants are presented with an image of an antibiotic packet, that contains information about the behaviour "take antibiotics exactly as prescribed" and information about AMR, framed in a negative manner. This can be delivered to participants via a QR code, or a warning message on the packet.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Behavioural Insights Team

  collaborator OTHER

• Imperial College London

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kate Grailey · Imperial College London

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-08-31

Primary Completion

2025-10-24

Completion

2026-03-01