Author/Authors :
Rafique, Ibrar Pakistan Medical Research Council, Pakistan , Saqib, Muhammad Arif Nadeem Pakistan Medical Research Council, Pakistan , Siddiqui, Shajee Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan , Munir, Muhammad Arif Pakistan Medical Research Council, Pakistan , Malik, Iftikhar Ahmed Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH) - Department of Medicine, Pakistan , Rao, Masood Hussain Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) - PMRC Research Center, Pakistan , Ahmed, Jamil Punjab Medical College (PMC) - PMRC Research Centre, Pakistan , Bashir, Saira Fatima Jinnah Medical College (FJMC) - PMRC Research Centre, Pakistan , Khan, Obaidullah Khyber Medical College (KMC) - PMRC Research Centre, Pakistan , Firdous, Rukhsana Bolan Medical College (BMC) - PMRC Research Centre, Pakistan , Ahmed, Shafiq Shifa International Hospital - Department of Medicine, Pakistan
Abstract :
Objectives: To assess knowledge and practices related to dengue management among physicians. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at hospitals in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi between June and December 2012Physicians from public and private sectors filled a self-administered questionnaire about dengue knowledge and its management practices. A maximum score of 100 was assigned to the knowledge portion. Data was analysed using SPSS 15. Results: A total of 400 subjects participated in the study; 200(50%) each from public and private hospitals. Of them, 223(56%) were males; 268(67%) were in the 21-30 years age bracket. The highest score was recorded in Quetta 67 followed by 65 in Karachi, 62 in Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar and 59 in Islamabad. Of the total, 200 (50%) were not aware that leucopenia is a criterion for diagnosing probable dengue. Similarly 140 (35%) did not know the criteria for diagnosing dengue haemorrhagic fever and warning signs of severe dengue. Total of 204 (51%) were not aware of the criteria for discharging of the admitted cases. There was no significant difference between dengue knowledge of the physicians belonging to public and private sectors (p 0.05). Conclusions: Quite a large number of physicians lacked knowledge of probable diagnosis of dengue and appropriate time to discharge the patients.
