Knowledge of private practitioners of Bangalore city in diagnosis, treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and compliance with case notification

Indian J Tuberc. 2018 Apr;65(2):124-129. doi: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2018.01.001. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Abstract

One hundred and twenty-nine qualified private practitioners (PPs) were assessed on their knowledge in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), treatment of a new drug sensitive PTB case and practices of case notification, using semi-structured questionnaire. About 20% had adequate knowledge of diagnosis, 29% of treatment regimen, 54% the need for Direct Observation Treatment and 57% about role of sputum smear examination in monitoring treatment response. Of 85 (68%) PPs who had diagnosed any TB case during last two years, 54 (64%) had practised notification. These findings suggest the need for upgrading knowledge of PPs in TB diagnosis, treatment and notification.

Keywords: India; Knowledge; Private practitioner; Tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Notification / standards*
  • Disease Notification / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Private Practice*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / prevention & control