Knowledge about leprosy in doctors of teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT

To assess the knowledge of doctors about leprosy. This was a qualitative study. Specially designed questionnaire based interviews were carried out in three teaching hospitals [Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi General Hospital and District Head Quarter Hospital of Rawalpindi Medical College] over 2 months [May-June 2008]. Doctors were interviewed irrespective of their qualification and experience using convenience sampling. A total of 136 doctors were included in the study, out of which 96 were simple MBBS, 34 had done FCPS-I and 6 were FCPS-II. Of the total 68 doctors, 38.2% had seen a case of leprosy whereas 61.8% had never examined a case of leprosy. Majority knew the commonly used drugs for leprosy and only 2.9% did not know them. Eighty two percent doctors knew the management of a suspected case of leprosy. Doctors had adequate knowledge about leprosy that was independent of their qualification and experience. Though leprosy has been eradicated from Pakistan but students and doctors still need to educated on this subject to keep them abreast about the subject