Knowledge, Attitudes Practices (KAP) of General Practitioners (GPs) regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/ AIDS in Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the KAP of GPs in Karachi who treat most of the cases of STDs in their private clinics.Methods: It was a cross sectional survey conducted by interviewing 103 GPs from different towns of Karachi through an interviewer administered questionnaire based on WHO protocol for control of STDs.Results: Regarding organisms transmitted through sexual intercourse, 94.2% knew about Neisseria gonorrhoeae while only 38.8% knew about T.Pallidum. Only 26.2% had heard about WHO syndromic management of STDs. Regarding treatment of a HIV positive patient 40.8% said they referred them to an AIDS control programme. Ninety four percent knew the value of sexual history but 55.3% were aware of the recommended treatment regimen.Conclusion: Knowledge and Attitudes of GPs was reasonably good but improvement is required with respect to management of STDs HIV. Targeted continuing medical education programmes and special training sessions are recommended.