study of the kap of physicians regarding oral rehydration therapy in Basrah

ABSTRACT

This survey was carried out to study the knowledge, attitudes and practice of physicians regarding ORT. The study included 124 doctors working in Basrah city. All doctors surveyed reported that they prescribed ORT for acute diarrhoea, 60% recommended continued feeding during the illness. However, ORT alone was recommended by 42% of physicians, and by 58% in combination with other medications. All the surveyed physicians generally advised continuation of breast feeding, 32% recommended stopping of all solids and 8% advised mothers to withhold all types of food for 24-48 hours