Abstract:
This study was conducted to ascertain the (a) extent of acute diarrhoea in general practice in
relation to age and sex, (b) seasonal variation (C) incidence of referrals for ward
treatment,(d) contributory environmental fractors,(e) parents knowledge,attitudes and
practices regarding acute diarrhoea and home management,(f) response to an initial simple
treatment plan which included ORS,extra fluids and normal feeds, (g) isolatiom of causative
bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern.The results of the study showed
that (a) the general practioner sees 20-30 children under 15 years,presenting with the 1st
episode of acute diarrhoea,per 1000 consecutive consultations.(b) Diarrhoea is more
common in the moths of February,June/July and November.(C) Diarrhoea is more common
in children below 2 years of age.(d) Parents who sought treatment were from close
proximity to the clinic,and proportionately were in higher income groups and had higher
educational level when compared to the general population at the last census.(e) Knowledge
of causative factors and mode of spread of diarrhoea was poor.(f) Home available fluids
were used more often than ORS. (g) Advice was sought and information was gathered
mainly from the general practioner/family physician.(h) Majority of patients were not
dehydrated and were managed as out-door patients needing extra fluids and ORS.(i) Stools
by direct smear test showing over 5 pus cells and red cells per H.P.F. corresponded to
positive stool cultures.(j) The commonest bacterial pathogen isolated was shigella flexneri
type II, sensitive to readily available antibiotics such as furazolidone and nalidixic acid
