title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Rocky Mountain spotted fever among healthcare providers, Tennessee, 2009.
abstract: Tennessee has a high incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), the most severe tick-borne rickettsial illness in the United States. Some regions in Tennessee have reported increased illness severity and death. Healthcare providers in all regions of Tennessee were surveyed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding RMSF. Providers were sent a questionnaire regarding knowledge of treatment, diagnosis, and public health reporting awareness. Responses were compared by region of practice within the state, specialty, and degree. A high proportion of respondents were unaware that doxycycline is the treatment of choice in children ≤ 8 years of age. Physicians practicing in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and family medicine; and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and providers practicing for < 20 years demonstrated less knowledge regarding RMSF. The gaps in knowledge identified between specialties, designations, and years of experience can help target education regarding RMSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, USA. emosites@uw.edu
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mosites
authors.forename: L Rand
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.forename: Tue H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McQuiston
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiedeman
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013714:Tennessee