MISUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHEA AND COUGH AT PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTERS

This study is conducted to find out the prescription practices of different broad-spectrum antibiotics, being routinely prescribed to children between 2 to 59 months, suffering from cough and diarrhea, in different health facilities of South Punjab districts of Pakistan. A structured questionnaire is provided in various primary health facilities to medical officers, inquiring about details of   cough and diarrhea cases visiting these facilities during time period March 2019 to May 2019. The compiled data of 360 children with cough and diarrhea is analyzed using SPSS (20). Descriptive statistics of cough and diarrhea in the given time along with associated symptoms and antibiotics being prescribed are shown in the form of tables and charts. Study infers that the antibiotics prescription rate is significantly high (around 80%) among children between 2-59 months   visiting different health facilities for cough and diarrhea. This high rate could be dangerous  for  young generations  in future, therefore,  important  measures  like repeated  training  sessions  for working  staff  in hospitals,  community  sessions  with media  involvement  for community  awareness,  and promotion of related research work  are highly recommended to halt the rapid expansion  of resistance  among young  ones caused  by these antibiotics.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Cough and Diarrhea, South Punjab Primary Health Facilities