Tuberculosis knowledge and attitudes among physicians who treat young children in North Carolina, USA.
METHODS
North Carolina, USA.


OBJECTIVE
To understand physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward the treatment of young children with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a low-incidence region.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of 525 pediatricians and 525 family practitioners in North Carolina.


RESULTS
Of 1050 surveys mailed, 149 (14%) were returned. In the previous year, 96% of responding physicians had treated children who had emigrated from a tuberculosis (TB) endemic country. During the last 2 years, 84% of physicians had not diagnosed any young children with TB disease, and 46% had not treated any young children with LTBI. Most (83%) physicians routinely placed tuberculin skin tests (TSTs), and 26% reported placing > 10 TSTs per month. Experience in treating children with LTBI was the only predictor of TB knowledge. Physicians were particularly confused about two issues: 1) TST among bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinated children and 2) treatment of young children with recent exposure to an adult with infectious TB.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of important issues related to management of LTBI in children aged < 5 years was limited among physicians in an area with relatively low TB incidence. Creative methods must be developed to help physicians in low-incidence areas to appropriately diagnose and treat LTBI among young children.
Stout
J E
JE
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Box 3306, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. stout002@mc.duke.edu
Ostbye
T
T
Walter
E B
EB
Hamilton
C D
CD
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*