OBJECTIVES: The current means to control the bacterial infections rely heavily on the use of antibiotics, but irrational use of antibiotics without prescription, poor sanitation conditions, use of antibiotics agents in agriculture, and small health care budgets in the developing countries like Nepal are some of the causes of the bacterial resistance. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate knowledge, perception and attitude of students regarding the antibiotics use and resistance in Nepal.

METHODS: An institution based descriptive cross- sectional study design was conducted from 11 June to 20 December 2017 to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude of first and second year students regarding the antibiotics use and resistance in Nepal.

RESULTS: Out of 170 students 91 were male and 79 were female students. Majority of students (98.9%) used antibiotics to treat bacterial infection (P<0.001). However, 59.6% students misunderstand that antibiotics are over the counter drugs and 36.9% students misunderstand that antibiotics can also be used to treat viral infections like common cold due to influenza, acute viral bronchitis and viral pharyngitis (P<0.05). 97.3% students are aware about the irrational use of antibiotics and the harm caused by it (P<0.001). In spite of strong knowledge in rational use of antibiotics, majority of them stop taking antibiotics when they feel better after bacterial infection and have left over antibiotics at home (P<0.05). Moreover, 52.1% students depended mainly on text book for the sources of information.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study we concluded that to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistant in Nepal future doctors, nurses and other health care workers must have better knowledge, attitude and well prepared to use antibiotics more sparingly and appropriately.