KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF ANTIBIOTIC USAGE AND RESISTANCE AMONG THE MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics play one of the most important roles in treatment of multiple infections. Because of their 
repeated use antibiotic resistance has become an important threat. One of the solutions for this menace is to develop 
adequate knowledge and rational drug prescription.  
Aim: to assess the knowledge and attitude and awareness of antibiotic use in medical students who will be the future 
prescribers of these drugs. 
Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Medical students of 1st and 2nd professional year were 
given the questionnaire.  The questionnaire had sections to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about antibiotic 
use and resistance. Each section has respective responses ranging from true/false to qualitative responses. The data was 
analysed by using simple descriptive statistics & Chi-square test was used to determine any significant difference. 
Results: Majority of participants have adequate to good knowledge of antibiotic usage & resistance in bacterial infections. 
MBBS Phase-II students have significantly better knowledge towards efficacy of newer and costly antibiotics, inadequate 
and unnecessary antibiotic usage contributing to antibiotic resistance. Most of the participants were aware that antibiotics 
should not be used commonly. In context to irrational antibiotic practice and choice of higher antibiotics, group-II 
participants (i.e. MBBS Phase-II students) had significantly better attitude than the group-I participants (i.e. MBBS Phase
I students). Both the study groups revealed good practice strategies. Comparatively group-II subjects show significantly 
better practicing principles in the present study.  
Conclusion: Majority of study participants have moderate to high level of knowledge, attitude & practice principles in 
our study. Educational programmes should be enhanced to increase the knowledge and also to practice the evidence
based medicine in the curriculum.