Survey of chest specialists and trainees knowledge and practice of TB guidelines

ABSTRACT

To investigate the fundamental knowledge of TB guidelines and their application in day to day practice by the chest specialists and trainees working in teaching hospitals. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the participants of 5th biennial chest conference. The data of 195 doctors was analyzed. 96% of doctors said they were treating their TB patients according to guidelines and categorize their patients for treatment, but only 54% knew the correct number of categories for treatment as recommended by the guidelines. Only 49% knew about the components of DOTS. 85% doctors considered sputum microscopy most important diagnostic test for TB and 61% would use it for monitoring of their patients. 88% would advise sputum AFB culture and sensitivity in suspected cases of suspected drug resistance, 59% doctors would treat MDR TB patients themselves and 33% would refer to specialized centers. 5 declared them incurable. 47% and 30% doctors respectively recommended changes in WHO recommended fixed drug combination FDC during pregnancy and lactation. 58% doctors recommended chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis in our setting. Overall fundamental knowledge of consultants regarding management of TB was good. Knowledge about DOTS and TB guidelines among all the doctors was average and needs improvement. Management of MDR TB by trainees is alarming in the absence of adequate knowledge and experience