Inadequacies in the management of diarrhea at the peripheral non-teaching level

A knowledge-attitude-practices survey regarding diarrhea was done on 29 MBBS doctors and 36 RMPs. A predetermined questionnaire was put to them and later a random prescription audit was done. Diarrhea was considered to be bacterial in origin by majority of the participants and use of routine antibiotics was advocated by them. Only 37% and 25% of the doctors in the two groups considered ORS to be important. The difference in the responses in the two groups was not statistically significant. Almost all the doctors relied upon the drug industry to provide them information about drugs. Medicines containing multiple drugs were prescribed by 51% and 63% of the respondents to 'treat' diarrhea. It is suggested that pediatrics should be allotted more time in the MBBS curriculum. CME programmes should be organised to decrease the dependence of the doctors on drug industry.