STUDY OF THE PRESCRIPTION PRACTICES FOR MALARIA TREATMENT AND PROPHYLAXIS AMONG GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN BHAVNAGAR CITY

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of the stud were 1)to compare the prescription practices of government and private medical practitioners in malaria treatment and prophylaxis in light of guidelines prescribed by NIMR and NVBDCP; and 2) to document the mechanism used by Gujarat’s health department to disseminate information regarding changes in treatment guidelines for malaria

Methods: Out of 68 government doctors 34 doctors were randomly selected to obtain detail for this study. 2 areas with comparative low API Sardarnagar and Chitra were selected and 2 areas with more API Kaliyabid and Vadva were selected for this study. Doctors of private sector serving in above area were selected randomly by lottery method. Total 54 private practitioners were selected for the study which gives 9, 15, 30 private practitioners of MD, MBBS, AYUSH respectively.

Results: A total of 88 medical practitioners were interviewed for this study who were allied with general treatment of fever cases. Out of 88 medical practitioners 34 (38.64%) work in Government & 54 (61.37%) work in private sectors. out of 34 government doctors most of 85.29% (n=29) were prescribe antimalarials according to guideline for 14 days only 41.86% (n=18) AYUSH were follow drug policy which was much less than the allopathic practitioners who prescribe according to guideline 70.97% (n=22) of MBBS and 85.71%(n=12) of MD.