Prescription and administration of a 14-day regimen of zinc treatment for childhood diarrhea in Mali

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 May;74(5):880-3.

Abstract

We evaluated prescription and correct dosing of a 14-day course of dispersible zinc tablets prescribed to young children with diarrhea by community and facility workers in rural, southern Mali, West Africa. One hundred twenty-three children were followed at home on days 3 and 14 after being prescribed zinc. The age-appropriate dose of zinc was dispensed in 94% of cases. Ninety-five percent of mothers dissolved the tablet in a small amount of water and gave it with a spoon. Only eight caretakers reported problems with zinc administration: either vomiting or refusal to take the tablets. Sixty-four percent of children received the full 14-day course of treatment, and more than 89% of children were given at least a 10-day course of zinc treatment. The levels of correct administration were very good but might be lower under non-research conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Antidiarrheals / administration & dosage*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community Health Services / standards*
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / drug therapy*
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Labeling
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mali / epidemiology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
  • Self Administration
  • Zinc / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antidiarrheals
  • Zinc