OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to obtain information on current prescribing rates of antibiotics in diarrhoea, a condition where misuse of antibiotics is common. In the absence of community-based databases on antibiotic use in developing countries recently a methodology was established for surveillance of antibiotic use at New Delhi by conducting ‘Exit Interviews’ of the patients. METHODS: Antibiotic use data was collected from public and private sector facilities from four residential localities around a tertiary care hospital where the antibiotic resistance work was being conducted. All the 10 public sector facilities (8 primary and 2 secondary health cares) situated in the study area under Delhi government were enrolled. For private sector, 20 willing and cooperative general practitioners and specialists practising in the chosen areas were selected. Patients after consultation with prescriber were asked if they had diarrhoea but without blood. Patients with diarrhoea were enrolled for exit interview and his/her prescription was monitored. Antibiotic use data was collected per month over one year (December 2007-November 2008).The percentage of patients receiving antibiotic and pattern of consumption for various antibiotics was analysed. RESULTS: At public facilities 43% (171/398) and at private facilities 69% (76/110) of patients with diarrhoea were prescribed at least one antibiotic. Main antibiotic class that was prescribed in public and private sector was fluoroquinolones (89% and 94%); the second group in public sector was cephalosporins (4%) and in private sector were penicillins (3%). In private sector paediatricians prescribed antibiotics to 52% (17/33) of children with diarrhoea and fluoroquinolone group was prescribed to all. At public facilities, main members from fluoroquinolones were norfloxacin, followed by ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. At private clinics, it was ofloxacin followed by ciprofloxacin. Paediatricians mainly prescribed ofloxacin, followed by norfloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly shows over-prescription and irrational use of antibiotics for treatment of diarrhoea that warrants interventional strategies.