Fazli Maula, Said M, Safeer Zaman, Khurshid Anwar, Adil M, Nadeem M, Alamzeb, Arshad Javaid.
Drug prescribing practices among general practitioners, ENT surgeons and chest physicians for upper respiratory tract infections.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;17(3):17-20.

Objective: To determine the trends of drugs prescribing practices for upper respiratory tract infections among general practitioners, ENT surgeons and chest physicians in Bannu. Study design: Descriptive observational study. Place and duration: Among the doctors of Bannu city and periphery from 1stapril 2011 to 25th july 2011. Methodology: A self administered questionnaire was distributed among the general doctors (GPs), ENT surgeons and chest physicians of Bannu city and periphery using the pharmaceutical personnel as a source for distribution and collection of Performa after one week. Data was entered in SPSS version 16 and analyzed. Results: A total of 127 doctors were given proformas and 118(92.92%) responded with 90(76.28%) male and 28(23.72%) females. Eighty three (70.34%) were GPs and remaining were specialists. They suspected organisms as Streptococcus in 68(57.67%), viral 41(34.75%), Staphylococcus aureus 02(1.7%) and mix bacterial in 07(5.94%). The use of antibiotics was Quinolones in 33(27.97%), Cephalosporin’s 57(48.31%), Penicillin’s 20(16.95%) and no antibiotics were recommended in 08(6.78%) cases. Antihistamines were advised in 100% patients as follows, Fexofenadine in 37(31.35%), Cetrizine 62(52.54%) and others in 19(16.11%). Intranasal decongestants were recommended in102(86.45%) and steroids in 43(36.45%) of the patients. Conclusion: All the doctors especially working in remote areas of the country like Bannu should have repeated workshops and training programs regarding the use of different drugs especially antibiotics. They must treat every condition according to the local guidelines and antibiotics should be used according to culture and sensitivity or local known prevalence of organisms

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