Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious health threats worldwide, including Thailand. It has been estimated that failing to tackle AMR will result in up to 10 million deaths a year, a 3.8% decrease in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the world economy losses of US$100 trillion by 2050. Irrational drug use is a major cause of AMR and the factor associated with irrational use of drugs includes incorrect and inappropriate use of medicines. In addition, Thailand has developed the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2021 (NSP-AMR). One of the five goals of NSPAMR is to increase 20% of public knowledge and awareness on control of AMR bacteria and appropriate use of antimicrobials. In order to monitor public awareness on AMR (Goal 4), it is important to design method to obtain baseline data to benchmark changes after the NSP-AMR implementation. National Statistical Office (NSO) has conducted the biannual Health and Welfare Survey (HWS) and the most current was in 2017 to incorporate the AMR module, a modified version of the Eurobarometer 445 reviewed by International Health Policy Program (IHPP) under Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The key indicators such as knowledge about antibiotics, exposures to message on AMR and rational use of antibiotics would be generated. The integration of AMR module into HWS 2017 was achieved because of the rising concern on AMR at global and national level, linkage to NSP goals and the cooperation between NSO and IHPP, in order to generate baseline data among the population in Thailand. This would contribute to the monitoring of progress on the goal of NSP-AMR.
