title: Knowledge of asthma management by general practitioners  in Karachi, Pakistan: comparison with international  guidelines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suboptimal management of asthma by general practitioners (GPs) can lead to poor health outcomes
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the management of common asthma presentations by GPs using the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines as a  comparative tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Of 250 GPs approached, 192 completed a self-administered  questionnaire regarding pathology, key history points, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 28.6% of GPs had adequate knowledge of the core concepts of asthma, while only 10.4% had adequate practice in  asthma management. About 78% of GPs had inadequate knowledge of pathology, about 90% had inadequate knowledge of medications  to be used, and 63% had inadequate knowledge regarding diet restrictions. Knowledge regarding symptoms not usually associated with  asthma was adequate, as was knowledge regarding non-pharmacological management (79% each). Practices regarding asthma diagnosis  were good (99.0%). However, practices regarding acute exacerbations and patients who wish to exercise were inadequate in 85.9% and  82.8% of GPs, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of GPs had poor knowledge and practice of asthma. We recommend initiation of programmes to improve  their knowledge and practices.
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. nizar.bhulani@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhulani
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lalani
authors.forename: Aziez
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Urooba
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Faheem
authors.forename: Ayub
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Samani
authors.forename: Wahaj
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aman
authors.forename: Faria
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bhatti
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saleem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires