Mohammad Yaqoob Kazi, Masood Nizam Tubassum, Humayun Iqbal Khan, Tahir Masood Ahmad.
Current practices of general practitioners towards the management of Acute Watery Diarrhoea in children upto 5 years of age - An experience at Filter Clinics in Lahore.
Pak Paed J Jan ;27(2):56-62.

Objective: To determine the current practices among the doctors working at filter clinics and diagnostic centres in Lahore city regarding the management of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in children. Design: A cross sectional descriptive epidemiological study. Subjects and Methods: Doctors working in filter clinics and diagnostic centres were given pretested semi sturctured questionares. Variables analyzed were: age, sex, year of graduation of doctor, pediatric experience especially in treatment of childhood diarrhoea & knowledge of WHO guidelines, information about standard ORS, its preparation, administration, advice about diet and milk & breast feeding, use of antibiotics, anti-diarrhoeals & IN fluids, health education to the mothers, influence of mothers & medical representatives for prescription of drugs and commercial milk formulae. Results: Our results showed that 94% doctors prescribed ORS in childhood diarrhea: 66% in all cases. Fifty two (52%) percent advised to give ORS by cup or glass & spoon, 21 % by bottle and nipple, 58% adivised to give it till diarrhea is controlled and 98% recommended other fluids in addition to ORS. IN fluids were prescribed by 40% doctors; 86% administered drugs and 34% prescribed these under influence of medical representatives. 86% advised to give semi-solid foods, 31 % prescribed milk formulae mostly under influence of the mother. Conclusion: We conclude that although many doctors are familiar with WHO guidelines for management of childhood diarrhea but till now most of them are not following the recommendations in true letter and spirit.

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