Fear, trust, and knowledge – understanding Norwegian citizens’ perceptions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

This paper explores citizens’ perceptions of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem, addressing the need for governance legitimacy in crisis management and policymaking when fighting this crisis. Previous research has shown that the public has limited knowledge of AMR and has given it little attention. Our study investigates how Norwegian citizens perceive the problem of AMR, considering their fear, knowledge, and trust, and using panel data from a Norwegian survey. The findings show that Norwegian citizens are aware of the severity of AMR and express concern about the declining effectiveness of antibiotics. However, their concern is linked to their fear of other major crises and to their knowledge of AMR, rather than their trust, both generally towards others, and in the authorities. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and crisis management strategies. It suggests that public policies addressing AMR must consider governance legitimacy and the public’s awareness, including citizens’ fear and knowledge.

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