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.