Evaluation of the approaches and knowledge level of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease research assistants and specialist physicians

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate approaches and knowledge level for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment among infectious diseases and clinical microbiology research assistants and specialist physicians. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study on the research assistants and specialist physicians. A questionnaire consisting of 24 questions prepared by the researchers was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22.0. Results: In this study, 116 physicians participated. The average age of participants was 41.07 +/- 8.65 years, and 64.7% were female. The proportion of physicians with no pulmonary and non-pulmonary TB experience was calculated as 6.9% and 3.4%, respectively. Acid-fast-bacilli (AFB) tests were most frequently used in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. On the other hand, the tuberculin skin test (ISI) + chest radiography (CR) was most frequently used for latent TB in immunosuppressed subjects (91.4% and 69%, respectively). The most common non-pulmonary TB clinic form encountered was lymphadenitis (88.8%); the most common treatment problem was drug side effects (75%); and the most common drug resistance was to isoniazid (25.9%). It was determined that physicians encountered HIV and TB coinfection in 62.9% of patients, and standard TB treatment was applied for most patients (48.3%). The most frequent yearly TST + CR + AFB trials (69%) were performed in the screenings of health workers who were in contact with TB patients. It was observed that 44% of physicians used a negative pressurized chamber and/or isolation chamber in the institution, and 72.4% used a N95/FFP3 mask during examination. It was determined that the participants were mostly correct about TB. Conclusion: Infectious diseases and clinical microbiology physicians continue to encounter TB patients. This group of physicians often has a good level of knowledge and experience with TB, although special training for this disease is low.