PRESCRIBING PRACTICES OF ANTHELMINTICS FOR ROUTINE DEWORMING OF CHILDREN IN KARACHI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prescribing practices of physicians for routine deworming of children, their awareness of deworming guidelines and knowledge of risk factors and health impacts linked with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections in Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration: The study was conducted at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Clifton, Karachi, over a period of five months, from January 1, 2024 to May 2024.
Method: A total of 300 physicians at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Clifton, were surveyed using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to capture information on demographic characteristics, prescribing practices for anthelmintics, awareness of local and international deworming guidelines and knowledge of STH risk factors and associated health impacts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with results summarized using descriptive statistics that includes frequencies and percentages.
Results: Among the 300 physicians surveyed, 55.7% were male, with a mean age of 40.43 ± 10.68 years. Routine deworming was reported by 83% of physicians, with 40% prescribing annually, 31% bi- annually and 30.3% for patients with identified high-risk backgrounds. Only 45% were familiar with WHO guidelines for deworming, despite 74.3% being aware that routine anthelmintic administration is recommended. High levels of awareness were observed for STH risk factors such as poverty (89%), poor water quality (86.3%) and poor food hygiene (87%). The health impacts associated with STH such as malnutrition (94%) and anemia (89.7%), were also widely recognized among the participants.
Conclusion: This study shows that the degree of reported prescription varies from doctor to doctor and there is a considerable awareness of STH risk factors but there is a lack of awareness of WHO guidelines. Strengthening and standardizing guidelines for STH management may help to increase compliance with deworming procedures and benefit recipients of the health services in high-risk populations.