General practitioners' knowledge of childhood asthma in Delhi, India
Authors: Gautam, V.P.1; Shah, A.2; Malhotra, A.1; Dewanwala, A.1; Taneja, D.K.1; Gupta, V.K.1; Ingle, G.K.1
Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 12, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 677-682(6)
Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of childhood asthma among general practitioners (GPs) in Delhi, India.DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 157 GPs were interviewed using a validated questionnaire, including six questions of local and social relevance. A response rate of 78.5% was obtained.RESULTS: Although the GPs who participated in the study had adequate knowledge of the importance of appropriate treatment, the safety of inhalers/oral steroids and the role of medicines in the prevention of frequent asthma attacks, the majority lacked knowledge of symptomatology, exercise-induced asthma and inhaled corticosteroids. GPs with >5 years of practice were more likely to have significantly less knowledge about preventive drugs, certain aspects of treatment of acute asthma and misconceptions, such as `drinking milk increases mucus production' or `children with asthma should not consume dairy products, chilled drinks, sour or chilled food'. On the other hand, GPs with ≤5 of practice had misconceptions such as `children with asthma have abnormally sensitive airways' and `asthmatic children develop dependence on inhalers'.CONCLUSIONS: The gaps in knowledge about asthma and its management highlight the need to design well-structured educational strategies for health professionals.Keywords: knowledge; childhood asthma; questionnaire; general practitioners; India
Document Type: Regular paper
Affiliations: 1: Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India 2: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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