Journal of diarrhoeal diseases research
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J Diarrhoeal Dis Res · Mar 1996
Knowledge, attitude, practice, and prescribing pattern of oral rehydration therapy among private practitioners in Nigeria.
To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) among private medical practitioners in Enugu, Nigeria, 91 doctors were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. All the doctors had heard of ORT and believed in its efficacy. The commonest source of information on ORT was the medical school (44%). ⋯ Antibiotics were commonly used, although most (76%) doctors believed that viral infections were a common cause of childhood diarrhoea. All the respondents would recommend continued breastfeeding during diarrhoeal episodes. The study revealed a high rate of inappropriate drug use and a deficiency in the knowledge and practice of ORT.