Perspectives of Syrian refugees on antibiotic use and prescribing in Dutch primary care: a qualitative study

Purpose This study is oriented towards getting insight into the perspectives, knowledge and practices among Syrian refugees regarding antibiotic use and prescribing in Dutch primary care. Design/methodology/approach A thematic qualitative study was carried out using semi-structured interviews with 12 Syrian refugees living in the Netherlands. Data analysis consisted of three steps and was oriented towards the development of themes. Findings Participants were confronted with restricted access to antibiotics in the Netherlands which was contrary to their experiences in Syria. Some of them continued to self-prescribe antibiotics, while others adhered to the Dutch General Practitioner (GP)'s advice. Especially mothers with young children took up the Dutch GP's advice. Syrian refugees expressed health beliefs about the healing effects of antibiotics which are related to their past experiences of use and which influenced their current use. Respondents complained about the Dutch health-care system and expressed a preference for the one in Syria. Research limitations/implications Syrian refugees vary in their way of dealing with restricted access to antibiotics in Dutch primary care. More in-depth knowledge is required to improve refugee patient-doctor communication about antibiotic use. Practical implications The message that antibiotics are not needed may be challenging. Additional communication seems to be necessary to persuade Syrian refugees from self-prescribing antibiotics. Therefore, identifying refugee patient concerns and carefully counseling and communicating it with them is substantial. Developing educational toolkits consisting of various experiences of antibiotic use and ways of dealing with it can equip doctors to more adequately react to migrants' needs for care. Social implications Primary care professionals seem insufficiently equipped to tackle issues related to antibiotic use amongst newly arrived migrants. Therefore, it is important to support professionals in their communication with this patient group about the proper use of antibiotics. Originality/value This study shows that more in-depth knowledge is needed about the strategies of newly arrived migrants and their complex reactions to treatment prescriptions with which they are not familiar.