A kiosk survey of perception, attitudes and knowledge (PAK) of Australians concerning microbes, antibiotics, probiotics and hygiene

ISSUES ADDRESSED: To obtain a baseline of public perception, attitudes and knowledge (PAK) of Australians about microbes, antibiotics and hygiene like hand washing and use of probiotics. METHODS: Using a kiosk‐based survey method at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), we remotely assayed PAK of Australians through their interaction with the kiosk. The surveys we used had five and seven multiple answer questions and were analysed using standard comparative approaches. We also made comparisons based on gender and on age group for many of the questions. RESULTS: Our analyses indicate that there is a lack of general understanding of the role of microbes in everyday life among Australians. In addition, we detected some basic misunderstandings about antibiotics. While 80% of the respondents identified penicillin as an antibiotic, up to 30% of the respondents wrongly identified aspirin, Tylenol, valium and Benadryl as antibiotics. We also detected a general lack of knowledge about hand washing hygiene and probiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: Our results from around 700 Australian respondents can serve as a baseline for further PAK assessment of Australians. PAK of Australians with respect to microbes and hand washing hygiene is poor therefore public education is needed. This study should stimulate a better roadmap for public education about microbes, antibiotics, probiotics and hygiene. SO WHAT? With the recent spread of SARS‐Cov2 and the ensuing Covid19 pandemic and the continuing rise in antimicrobial resistance, the need for assessment PAK of microbes and infectious disease has become acute.