Antibiotic resistance is occurring everywhere in the world, compromising the treatment of infectious diseases and undermining many other advances in health and medicine. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process. Tackling antibiotic resistance is a high priority for WHO. As part of implementation of objective 1 of the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, WHO is coordinating ‘Antibiotics: Handle with care’, a global campaign to raise awareness and encourage best practices among the public, policymakers, health and agriculture professionals. WHO commissioned a survey, carried out in September/October 2015, among some 10 000 members of the public in 12 countries (2 per WHO Region: Barbados, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Sudan and Viet Nam) on their use of antibiotics, knowledge of antibiotics and of antibiotic resistance. While not claiming to be exhaustive, this and other surveys will help WHO and partners to ensure efforts are focused on tackling some of the biggest gaps in understanding and the most prevalent misconceptions.