Antibiotic knowledge and behaviour amongst asylum seekers in Germany: the role of health literacy

Abstract Aims: Antibiotic resistant infections are a growing global health threat and inappropriate antibiotic use is one key driver. Refugees and asylum seekers may be particularly vulnerable to both antibiotic resistant infections and inappropriate antibiotic use. Understanding antibiotic knowledge and behaviour in these populations is therefore essential. One central driver of health-related behaviour is health literacy (HL); refugees and asylum seekers encounter barriers to HL due to language, cultural differences, and limited access to reliable health information. This study sought to examine relationships between antibiotic knowledge/use and HL among adults at a German initial reception centre ( Landeserstaufnahmeeinrichtung , LEA).