Newspapers have played a crucial role in shaping public perception and awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh, according to an icddr,b study.
Researchers from icddr,b, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and several universities conducted the study titled "The portrayal of antimicrobial resistance in Bangladeshi newspapers during 2010–2021: Toward understanding the narrative, according to a press release on Wednesday .
The study examined how AMR has been reported in mainstream Bangladeshi newspapers over the last decade, it said.
The analysis focused on 275 AMR-related news articles from 12 leading newspapers—six in English and six in Bangla—published between January 2010 and September 2021. These newspapers included Prothom Alo, Ittefaq, Jugantor, Kaler Kantho, Samakal, The Daily Star, New Age, Financial Express, Janakantha, Naya Diganta, Bhorer Kagoj, and Daily Sun, chosen for their high circulation and prominence in the media landscape. The articles comprised reports, editorials, and opinion pieces.
The findings indicated that the most frequently reported issues were the misuse of antibiotics by consumers (32.2%), the sale of antibiotics without prescriptions (29%), and over-prescription by healthcare providers (26.1%). However, the role of pharmaceutical companies—particularly their influence on AMR through practices like incentivising doctors to prescribe certain antibiotics—needs more attention, the release said.
Nearly 45% of the articles were event-oriented, often responding to World Health Organization reports rather than providing continuous, in-depth analysis. This episodic focus means that AMR is usually highlighted during specific incidents, leading to gaps in sustained public education.
Dr Tahmidul Haque, lead author and Research Investigator at icddr,b, stressed the importance of accurate AMR reporting to educate the public. “We need valid and consistent AMR news coverage to raise awareness and support national action plans,” he stated, calling for more Bangla articles with scientific information, added the release.
Bangladesh is experiencing a significant rise in antimicrobial resistance, with alarming resistance rates among common pathogens. For instance, E. coli has shown resistance rates of 94.6% to Ampicillin and 67.1% to Amoxiclav, posing severe public health threats, it also said.
To improve coverage, journalists should investigate how pharmaceutical practices contribute to antibiotic resistance and collaborate with healthcare experts to ensure accurate reporting. Increasing the number of detailed, scientifically grounded articles in Bangla-language media can enhance public awareness and understanding of AMR.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global health threat, with the World Health Organization predicting up to 10 million annual deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050, primarily impacting Asia and Africa, resulting in substantial economic losses.