Misuse of drugs in acute diarrhoea in under-five children
Alam, M.B.; Ahmed, F.U.; Rahman, M.E.
Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin 24(2): 27-31
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-9238 PMID: 9926479 Document Number: 497339
This study determines the extent of drug misuse in acute diarrhea among under-five children in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Data were collected from 360 mothers whose under-five children suffered acute diarrhea 2 weeks prior to interview. Information gathered pertained to the type and duration of diarrhea and the treatment received. The were 339 cases of acute watery diarrhea and 21 cases of dysentery (i.e., bloody stools). The mean duration of the diarrheal episode lasted 3.17 +or- 1.69 days. From the total cases, only 328 received treatment. Moreover, only 82 cases of acute watery diarrhea received WHO recommended treatment and only 5 from the total number of cases received appropriate antibiotic treatment, while the 241 cases received inappropriate medication. The commonly prescribed drugs were metronidazole and antibiotics. Unfortunately, those who consulted health professionals were at 5.7 times higher risk of receiving the drugs and even experienced longer episodes of acute diarrhea. Results suggest that there is a significant misuse of antidiarrheal drugs among under-five children.