Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotics Use and Resistance among the Undergraduate Students in Tertiary care hospital of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics are the drugs to treat bacterial infections and their resistance is one of the major public health issues. Irrational use of antibiotics in human and agriculture are the main causes of antibiotic resistance. The study aims to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding antibiotics use and resistance among undergraduate students.

Materials and Methodology: An institution based descriptive cross- sectional study design was conducted to assess KAP of antibiotics use and resistance among the undergraduate students purposively in Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center (GMCTHR).

Results: Out of 170 respondents 91 were males and the rest females. The majority of them (96.8%) believed that antibiotics are the drug of choice for bacterial infection. Antibiotics are prescription only drugs however, 60.6% of students still believed that antibiotics are obtainable from the pharmacies without a prescription. 94.7 % of students agreed that antibiotics are overused nationally. More than two–third (71.8%) respondents have good knowledge, 93.5% have a positive attitude regarding antibiotics use and resistance, and only 24.7% have good practice in the use of antibiotics. Despite good knowledge and positive attitude towards antibiotics use and their resistance, almost half of them buy antibiotics without prescription (45.3%) and don't complete the antibiotic course after feeling better (37.06%).

Conclusion: The majority of respondents have good knowledge and positive attitude regarding antibiotics use and resistance but the good practice is very low in the use of antibiotics Therefore, we should focus on the rational use of antibiotics and prepare our future healthcare professionals to use antibiotics more sparingly and appropriately.