Assessing the impact of a national social marketing campaign for antimicrobial resistance on public awareness, attitudes, and behaviour, and as a supportive tool for healthcare professionals, England, 2017 to 2019.

BackgroundPrevious United Kingdom campaigns targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) recommended running multimedia campaigns over an increased timeframe. The 3-year-long Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW) campaign was a mass media campaign in England targeting the public and general practitioners (GPs).MethodsEvery year, pre- and post-campaign questionnaire data were collected from the public, whereas post-campaign interview data were obtained from GPs. Data were weighted to allow pre- and post-campaign comparisons between independent samples. Significant changes in nominal and ordinal data were determined using Pearson's chi-squared (X2) and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively.ResultsPrompted campaign recognition was high, increasing by 6% from 2018 to 2019 (2017: data unavailable; 2018: 68% (680/1,000); 2019: 74% (740/1,000); X2 = 8.742, p = 0.003). Knowledge regarding declining antibiotic effectiveness when taken inappropriately improved following the campaign (net true: pre-2017 = 69.1% (691/1,000); post-2019 = 77.6%; (776/1,000); X2 = 5.753, p = 0.016). The proportion of individuals reporting concern for themselves or for children (≤ 16 years) about AMR increased by 11.2% (Z = -5.091, p < 0.001) and 6.0% (Z = -3.616, p < 0.001) respectively, pre- to post-campaign. Finally, in 2017, reported confidence to say no to patients requesting antibiotics differed significantly between GPs who were and were not aware of the campaign (net agree: 98.9% (182/184) vs 92.4% (97/105) respectively; X2 = 4.000, p = 0.045).ConclusionA high level of prompted campaign recognition was achieved. The KAW campaign improved aspects of AMR knowledge and certain attitudes towards appropriate antimicrobial use. It increased awareness of and concern about AMR, supporting GP confidence to appropriately prescribe antibiotics. Future determination of measurable behaviour changes resulting from AMR campaigns is important.

Care provision for poststroke visual impairment.

BACKGROUND: We sought to explore the care provision for poststroke visual impairment and variations in this in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Survey questions were developed and piloted with clinicians, academics, and users. Questions addressed types of visual problems; how these were identified, treated, and followed up; care pathways in use; links with other professions; and referral options. The survey was accessed via a Weblink, which was circulated through UK professional organizations to multiprofessional members of ophthalmic and stroke teams. RESULTS: A total of 548 completed electronic surveys were obtained. In all, 49.5% of respondents represented stroke teams, 42.5% eye teams, and 8% from other teams, for example, emergency care. Many respondents (41%) saw patients within 1 week of stroke. Nineteen percent did not personally test vision: 11% had a visiting clinician to test vision, and 22% used screening tools. Validated tests were used for the assessment of visual acuity (39.5%), visual field (57.5%), eye movement (48.5%), and visual function (58.5%). Visual problems suspected by family or professionals were high (88.5%). Typical overall follow-up period of vision care was less than 3 months. In all, 46% of respondents used designated care pathways for stroke survivors with visual problems; 33.5% of respondents did not provide visual information leaflets. CONCLUSIONS: Significant inequality exists in care for stroke survivors who experience visual problems. There is great variability in how vision screening is undertaken, which vision tests are used, methods of referral to eye care services, how visual problems are managed, and what vision information is provided to stroke survivors/carers. Further work is required to ensure equality and effective care.