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Chlamydia trachomatis related knowledge and practices in medical practioners--a survey
Insights
Medical practitioners in Pakistan need more sexual health training. Key areas for improvement include taking sexual and drug histories, managing sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia, and partner notification.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Chlamydia trachomatis infection poses significant health risks, including neonatal conjunctivitis.
- Prompt and proper treatment is crucial to mitigate morbidity associated with Chlamydia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current knowledge and practices of medical practitioners in Pakistan regarding Chlamydia trachomatis.
- To identify deficiencies in sexual health skills among healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in fourteen tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.
- 130 medical practitioners participated, completing a self-administered questionnaire via email.
Main Results:
- A 65% response rate was achieved among participants.
- Gaps were identified in sexual history taking (males 72.5%, females 55.8%) and drug history (males 22.6%, females 35.3%).
- Low rates of partner notification (1.5% by females) and understanding of diagnostic tests (males 24%, females 17.6%) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Medical practitioners in Pakistan require enhanced training in sexual health.
- Areas needing improvement include sexual/drug history, STD management, and partner notification.
Introduction:
Chlamydia trachomatis is a frequently encountered condition by general physicians, urologists and infectious diseases specialists. It can affect both genders and causes significant morbidity if not treated properly and promptly. In addition, it can cause ophthalmia neonatorum, which manifests as neonatal conjunctivitis in the newborns.
Methodology:
The data was collected from fourteen tertiary care hospitals in two provinces of Pakistan during the time period of four months (September-December 2013). Inclusion criteria included all medical practitioners working at those hospitals and there were no limitations of age and gender to participate. The participants were approached through email which included a self administered questionnaire. Written consent was obtained from the participants and the study was approved by the ethical committee of all selected hospital.
Results:
Overall 130 participants participated with a response rate of 65%. Females were 52.3% and males were 47.7%. In the study 17.7% of male and 29.4% of female participants proclaimed that they referred a patient to an infectious disease specialist in case the diagnosis of Chlamydia was dubious. 72.5% of the male and 55.8% of the female medical practitioners indicated that they yield detailed sexual history from the patients with Chlamydia. Regarding inquiring about the drugs history from the patient at risk of STDs, 22.6% male and 35.3% of female participants informed that they took a detailed drug history. Only 1.5% of the female medical practitioners notified Chlamydia to the partner of diseased patient themselves (provider referral). 24% male and 17.6% female participants had an understanding regarding the definite test of diagnosis for sexually transmitted Chlamydia.
Conclusion:
More sexual health skills development is required in medical practitioners working in Pakistan. The major deficient areas are sexual and drug history taking, management of sexually transmitted diseases and partner notification.
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