Poor health knowledge and behaviour is a risk for the spread of antibiotic resistance: survey of higher secondary school students in Goa, India.

Aims: We assessed antibiotic knowledge and practice among youth in India, where antibiotics are widely available without prescription.

Methods: Randomly selected school questionnaire survey representing four regions in Goa, India, with students ( n = 773) aged 16-17.

Results: Most students (67%) were unaware of the problem of antibiotic resistance, with around half (49%) mistakenly thinking that bacteria cause cold or flu.