title: Surveying the Knowledge and Practices of Health Professionals in China, India, Iran, and Mexico on Treating Tuberculosis.
abstract: Research evidence continues to reveal findings important for health professionals' clinical practices, yet it is not consistently disseminated to those who can use it. The resulting deficits in knowledge and service provision may be especially pronounced in low- and middle-income countries that have greater resource constraints. Tuberculosis treatment is an important area for assessing professionals' knowledge and practices because of the effectiveness of existing treatments and recognized gaps in professionals' knowledge about treatment. This study surveyed 384 health professionals in China, India, Iran, and Mexico on their knowledge and practices related to tuberculosis treatment. Few respondents correctly answered all five knowledge questions (12%) or self-reported performing all five recommended clinical practices "often or very often" (3%). Factors associated with higher knowledge scores included clinical specialization and working with researchers. Factors associated with better practices included training in the care of tuberculosis patients, being based in a hospital, trusting systematic reviews of randomized controlled double-blind trials, and reading summaries of articles, reports, and reviews. This study highlights several strategies that may prove effective in improving health professionals' knowledge and practices related to tuberculosis treatment. Facilitating interactions with researchers and training in acquiring systematic reviews may be especially helpful.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: G Emmanuel
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Guindon
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lavis
authors.forename: Harkanwal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Randhawa
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Becerra-Posada
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dejman
authors.forename: Katayoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Falahat
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malek-Afzali
authors.forename: Parasurama
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: C A K
authors.initials: CAK
authors.lastname: Yesudian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*