Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners of the private sector, in Dakar, concerning prescription of benzodiazepines, in order to make, possibly, recommendations for their rational use.
Method: A survey was done in 2005 with a representative sample of 55 medical doctors. Medical doctors filled in the questionnaire which focused on the main benzodiazepines' indications, those prescribed and their rules of prescription.
Results: The main indications were anxiety, convulsions, epilepsy and insomnia and the benzodiazepines prescribed in first intention were prazepam against anxiety and insomnia and diazepam against convulsions and epilepsy. Practically 17% of medical doctors ignored the existence of limited period of benzodiazepine use and 70.9% of medical doctors considered their training on benzodiazepines insufficient.
Conclusion: These results show the necessity to base continuous training for these general practitioners on the pharmacology of benzodiazepines.