Standard for TB care in India (STCI) guidelines- A study on knowledge, attitude and practice among junior doctors of a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata

Abstract

Introduction: Standards for TB Care in India was produced in 2014 which set out the standard of TB treatment and TB testing & diagnosis in India that should be provided by the RNTCP in all parts of the country. Objectives: to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Standards for TB Care in India (STCI) guidelines among junior doctors in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: An institution-based observational descriptive study, cross-sectional in design, was conducted among 244 junior doctors of a tertiary care Government Teaching Hospital of Kolkata, from May 2016 to June 2016 using a pre designed pre tested structured questionnaire. Results: Though junior doctors had satisfactory knowledge about symptoms of presumptive TB & diagnosis; they had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding drug regimen, follow up sputum, diagnosis of MDR TB, XDR- TB and TB HIV.; they had positive attitude regarding seriousness of TB and regular upgradation of TB knowledge and had discordant practices regarding drug regimen, duration of treatment and TB notification. Conclusions: Structured and periodic training and re-training to ensure continuity of correct knowledge is need of the hour. Keywords: STCI, Junior doctors, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.