Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding epidemiology and management of travelers' diarrhea: a survey of front-line providers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To evaluate the relationship between medical knowledge and clinical practice, a survey on travelers' diarrhea was administered to military health care providers attending a professional development and trauma management conference. The survey was administered at the beginning of the conference and 58 of the 76 attendees participated by completing a questionnaire. Respondents were aware of the standard definition of travelers' diarrhea; however, their knowledge about the epidemiology and management of travelers' diarrhea was low. Less than one-third correctly answered questions on etiology and more than two-thirds made incorrect management choices in treatment of mild to moderate watery diarrhea and dysentery. Important knowledge gaps about gastroenteritis were identified and should serve as a basis to develop military-specific clinical guidelines and training programs.
Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt.
Mark S
MS
Riddle
David R
DR
Tribble
Nishith K
NK
Jobanputra
James J
JJ
Jones
Shannon D
SD
Putnam
Robert W
RW
Frenck
John W
JW
Sanders
D000346:Afghanistan; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel; D014857:Warfare