[Prescription of benzodiazepines by general practitioners in the private sector of Dakar: survey on knowledge and attitudes].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners of the private sector, in Dakar, concerning prescription of benzodiazepines, in order to make, possibly, recommendations for their rational use.


METHODS
A survey was done in 2005 with a representative sample of 55 medical doctors. Medical doctors filled in the questionnaire which focused on the main benzodiazepines' indications, those prescribed and their rules of prescription.


RESULTS
The main indications were anxiety, convulsions, epilepsy and insomnia and the benzodiazepines prescribed in first intention were prazepam against anxiety and insomnia and diazepam against convulsions and epilepsy. Practically 17% of medical doctors ignored the existence of limited period of benzodiazepine use and 70.9% of medical doctors considered their training on benzodiazepines insufficient.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show the necessity to base continuous training for these general practitioners on the pharmacology of benzodiazepines.
Dièye
Amadou Moctar
AM
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odonto-Stomatologie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar-Fann, Sénégal.
Sy
Awa Ndiaye
AN
Sy
Guata Yoro
GY
Diallo
Aïchatou Aw
AA
Diarra
Mounibé
M
Ndiaye
Mamadou
M
Faye
Babacar
B
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001290:Attitude; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D012675:Senegal
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines