title: Chemoprophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis--a survey of current practice in Zimbabwe.
abstract: There is no information about the use of antibiotics in the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in a developing country. A questionnaire was posted to 73 dentists, 233 general practitioners and 43 physicians. Completed questionnaires were received from 31 (42%) dentists, 59 (25%) general practitioners and 15 (35%) physicians. Prophylactic practice differed from the current published recommendations in the choice of drugs, dosage regimens, and a longer duration of use before and after invasive procedures. Wider dissemination of authoritative recommendations would simplify current practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murenha
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003815:Dentists; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010820:Physicians; D012008:Recurrence; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins