title: [Prescription of benzodiazepines by general practitioners in the private sector of Dakar: survey on knowledge and attitudes].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odonto-Stomatologie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar-Fann, Sénégal.
authors.forename: Amadou Moctar
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dièye
authors.forename: Awa Ndiaye
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Sy
authors.forename: Guata Yoro
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Sy
authors.forename: Aïchatou Aw
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Mounibé
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diarra
authors.forename: Mamadou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: Babacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines