Survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices for tuberculosis among general practitioners.
METHODS
Representative sample survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) for tuberculosis among private general practitioners (GPs) in 1993 in Korea,


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the KAP of general practitioners on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.


METHODS
Questionnaire surveys were performed for 923 private general practitioners through 29 health centres.


RESULTS
49% of GPs considered that the Korean tuberculosis situation is not serious. 54% were worried about infection from patients. 47% answered that BCG vaccination causes untoward reactions with no or limited effectiveness. 47% considered the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) unfavourably. Over 50% did not consider sputum examination essential in case finding/diagnosis, and 75% in monitoring of treatment response. For initial treatment of active tuberculosis, only 11% were prescribing the current Korean NTP's six-month standard regimen. 73% were giving currently non-recommendable regimens, and 16% unacceptably bad regimens. However, this situation could be improved, as 80% of GPs expressed the wish to acquire knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
Many misunderstandings were found in the field of transmission, BCG vaccination and the performance of the NTP; sputum examinations were considerably neglected in case finding/diagnosis and treatment monitoring. As for treatment, 89% were giving either non-recommendable regimens or bad regimens.
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010821:Physicians, Family; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine