Current Trends of Using Antimicrobials in Acute Watery Diarrhoea in Children Below 5 Years of Age at Paediatrics Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Mymensingh Med J. 2024 Jan;33(1):23-30.

Abstract

Childhood diarrhoea is a major public health problem in developing countries like Bangladesh which is commonly caused by intestinal infection, mainly viral. Diarrhoea is causing second leading mortality in children below 5 years, where about 2 billion cases occur globally in each year. This study was proposed to evaluate the antimicrobials utilization pattern prescribed for AWD in children below 5 years of age, in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. This record based, cross-sectional, descriptive type of observational study carried out at pharmacology department of Mymensingh Medical College. A total of 205 diarrhoeal patient's up to 5 years of age, attending the paediatric OPD from January 2021 to December 2021, were enrolled in the study. Out of 205 patients 182(88.8%) were prescribed antimicrobials. Azithromycin was the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial (60.0%) and among the antiprotozoals metronidazole was the prescribed most (24.9%). ORS and Zinc were prescribed in all patients (100%). Empirical excessive use of antibiotics was observed in this study. Emphasis on educational and training programs may help in a better and judicious use of drugs in children.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bangladesh
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diarrhea / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Outpatients*
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents