Abstract
Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) is being implemented in Pune city since 1998 and is providing treatment under DOTS strategy. In view of increasing prevalence of MDR-TB, DOTS plus has also been recently introduced. However the fact remains that a large number of sensitive as well as MDR-TB patients are being treated by private medical practitioners. We conducted a questionnaire based KABP (Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs and Practices) survey for private practitioners managing MDR-TB cases. The questionnaire was self filled by the participants. The answers were scored as good, average and poor considering WHO guidelines and RNTCP norms as a standard. A total of 425 private practitioners were assessed. 54.95% of practitioners were rated as average, 13.35% as poor and 31.7% as good in KABP. 405 allopath practitioners had better scores compared to 20 alternate medicine practitioners (P < 0.0001). Those who had received RNTCP modular training had better scores (P < 0.0001) but attending the seminars on TB had less impact (P < 0.005). Those with post graduation had better scores but super specialists had scores even lesser than the general practitioners. 83.53% felt that TB Sanatoria should open again. While 72.71% felt that MDR-TB is difficult to treat, only 32% were willing to notify their cases to RNTCP for further management. The survey throws light on the private practice scenario which may be an important hurdle in successful control of MDR-TB. The private practitioners need to be aggressively educated and involved in the RNTCP.
- © 2012 ERS
