http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Prescription practices by paramedics for ARI and diarrhoea in 1-5 years of children in Dhanusha district of Nepal
ABSTRACT: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) and diarrhoea are common communicable disease in developing countries. In Nepal, ARI alternates with diarrhoea are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among under five year children. The incidence rate of ARI in Dhanusha district is 774 per thousand in under five year children. Incidence is high for both diseases in Dhanusha district comparison to the national level. The present study was conducted to assess the prescription practices of paramedics for ARI and diarrhoea in one to five years age group of children in Dhanusha district of Nepal. This was cross-sectional analytical study. One hundred and ten paramedics were selected from governmental health institiuations in Dhanusha district by using stratified proportionate random sampling. This study was mainly focused to assess the knowledge, identify the various prescription practices and problems faces by paramedics during treatment of ARI and diarrhoea. It was found out that most of the respondents had good knowledge regarding meaning, mode of transmission and signs/symptoms of ARI and diarrhoea. Home-based therapy was preferred for mild cases of diarrhoea (98.15%) and ARI (52.78%). Antibiotic Cotrim was pediatric tablet was prescribed by almost half of the respondents for mild respiratory infections reflecting the common usage of antibiotics, which was easily available in government health institiutions. oral rehydration soluation (ORS) was the mainstay of the treatment for both mild and severe cases of diarrhoea. Referral was done for both severe cases of ARI (98.15%) and diarrhoea (84.16%). The main causes of referral being due to lack of proper facilities to manage the cases and non-availability of 24 hours emergency services. The major problems cited during handling of severe cases of ARI and diarrhoea was lack of facilities regarding ARI (16.67%), diarrhoea (14.8%) respectively. Almost (98%) respondents were getting basic training even though majority of them demanded refresher training regarding ARI and diarrhoea, which reflects the training proof nature, which provided to the health workers. From the study it was concluded that there most of respondents prescribed ARI and diarrhoeal drugs without any problems, adequate supply of drugs timely, good referral system.