Open AccessCommunity pharmacists' knowledge and dispensing recommendations for treatment of acute diarrhoea in Trinidad, West Indies
Author(s) -
Karim R.,
Ramdahin P.,
Boodoo J.R.,
KochHar A.,
Pinto Pereira L.M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1368-5031.2004.0095.x
Subject(s) - medicine , west indies , family medicine , pediatrics , history , ethnology
Summary Using a hypothetical case presentation of a patient with acute diarrhoea, community pharmacists in Trinidad were asked about their knowledge and dispensing recommendations to manage acute diarrhoea. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) were recommended by 86% (79), but more pharmacists would recommend ORS as the first choice therapy alone, for children (70%) than adults (33%) (p < 0.01). Antimotility agents as a first choice therapy alone or with ORS would be given to more adults (60%) than children (10%) (p < 0.01), and more adults (59%) than children (33%) would receive cotrimoxazole. Pharmacists (93%) would counsel on preparation, storage and treatment schedule for ORS, but not on discontinuing (32%) or continuing ORS (4%). Despite 51 pharmacists knowing the WHO guidelines to treat acute diarrhoea, only 23 dispensed in accordance. Educational re‐enforcement to manage acute diarrhoea and dispensing practices of medications are necessary for pharmacists who are the first patient contact in Trinidad.