Prescribing Practices for Childhood Diarrhoea at Primary Healthcare Centres in Imo State, South East Nigeria

Background: Childhood diarrhoea remains a leading cause of under-five morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Rational treatment, centred on oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and zinc supplementation, is widely recommended but not uniformly applied. This study evaluated prescribing practices for childhood diarrhoea at primary healthcare centres in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of 350 outpatient prescriptions for children under five with a diagnosis of acute diarrhoea was conducted across eight primary healthcare facilities in three local government areas. Prescriptions were assessed for compliance with WHO and Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria treatment guidelines. Results: ORT was prescribed in only 46 percent of cases, while zinc supplementation was present in 21 percent. Antibiotics were prescribed in 58 percent of cases including presentations with non-bloody, non-choleric diarrhoea, suggesting inappropriate use. Anti-diarrhoeal agents, which are contraindicated in children under five, were prescribed in 14 percent of prescriptions. Conclusion: Prescribing for childhood diarrhoea in Imo State shows significant deviation from evidence-based guidelines. Urgent interventions including regular prescriber training and community health worker sensitisation are recommended. Keywords: childhood diarrhoea, prescribing practices, oral rehydration therapy, Imo State, irrational drug use