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Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

To assess the knowledge, attitude and perception among family physicians about tetanus and rabies. Setting: This study was conducted at the International Family Physicians Conference held at the Aga Khan University. Method: It was a cross sectional study of convenient sampling. The participants were asked to fill a pre-tested questionnaire comprising of 26 questions. Both open and close ended questions were included. A total of 111 doctors fulfilling the inclusion criteria filled in the questionnaire.Result: Out of 111 doctors who participated in this study, vast majority were working in the urban area (86.5%). 59.5% had not seen a case of tetanus and 71% had not seen a case of rabies in the preceding 6 months. Only 37% would use both tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin in case of a dirty wound; 30% would administer tetanus toxoid and anti-tetanus serum in such a case. About 65% knew the current recommendation on rabies vaccination whereas 58% knew the correct post-exposure prophylaxis in case of suspected rabies.Conclusion: The level of knowledge about tetanus and rabies was clearly found to be deficient. More than half of the doctors enrolled in the study did not show correct knowledge on tetanus and rabies vaccination. The reasons for these deficiencies in knowledge appear to be inadequate teaching about these important diseases in the medical school. In addition, lack of reading habit and non-availability of continuous medical education programmes at the government level also contributes.

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