ASSESMENT OF PRESCRIPTION OF METRONIDAZOLE BY THE DOCTORS OF DISTRICT MIRPURKHAS.

Abstract

Background: Metronidazole is a Nitroimidazole antibiotic medication used particularly for anaerobic bacteria and
protozoa.It is on the WHO's list of essential medicines (a list of most important medication needed in basic health
system)
Objectives: To assess the indications with which metronidazole is being prescribed by the doctors of
mirpurkhas.
To set necessary recommendations regarding prescription of drug and emergence of drug resistance.
Place and Time: Mirpurkhas, September 2014.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among the doctors of Mirpurkhas in which pre tested
questionnaire was distributed to 80 doctors which are practicing in different hospitals of Mirpurkhas.
Results: Out of 80 study participants,56 were medical officers,24 were post graduates. Regarding mechanism of
action of metronidazole 53/80 said that it is anti diarrheal,50/80 said anti bacterial,46/80 said anti protozoal,27/80
said anti helmintic,12/80 said anti fungal,6/80 said anti viral,3/80 said mucosal protective agent. Regarding the
indication of metronidazole 75/80 said that they prescribe in any kind of diarrhoea, 56/80 said that food poisning,
29/80 said IBS and amoebiasis, 26/80 said anaerobic bacterial infections, 24/80 said IBD,15/80 said intra abdominal infections,12/80 said bacterial septicemia, 7/80 said skin infections,3/80 said bone and joint infections
and CNS infections ,1/80 said trichomoniasis and RTIs, None said gynaecological infections. Regarding the
knowledge of side effects 43/80 know about the side effects of the drug (skin allergy bittertaste, nausea, vomiting,
vertigo, constipation) 27/80 didn't know about the side effects. Regarding the contraindications of the drug 39/80
know about it (hepatitis, pregnancy, constipation), 41/80 didn't know about it. Regarding the substitute of metronidazole 62/80 said other antibiotics (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin), 18/80 said anti fungal.
Conclusion: This study reflects that there is unnecessary prescription of metronidazole among the doctors of
Mirpurkhas. Most commonly being prescribed for diarrhea, food poisoning, amoebiasis and IBS .It is critical that
27 doctors didn't know the side effects and 41 were not aware of the contraindications.
Keywords: prescription of metronidazole, doctors of Mirpurkhas.