Wajid Ali*, Arshad Naseem**, Mohammad Hani, Shahzad, Fehmida Najabat Ali

ABSTRACT

With the dawn of the era of drug resistance in Tuberculosis the medical sciences have come to realization that not only the available knowledge is incomplete but what ever is known is not well disseminated among the medical professionals. METHODS: An awareness survey was conducted with the view to assess the basic knowledge of the various types of the Resistance pattern in tuberculosis amongst the medical professionals. The definitions of the two types of Drug Resistance namely Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) and Extreme (Extensively) Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB) were asked and the medical professionals of various levels of experience and seniority were asked to give a spontaneous answer. Two hundred medical doctors were included in this survey. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty eight (69%) responses were finally included. Remaining seventy two (31%) responses were classified as regrets or incomplete responses. Fifty one (39.85%) correct responses were recorded for definition of MDR TB while seventy seven (60.15%) incorrect responses were recorded. Only five (3%) correct responses were recorded for definition of XDR TB while 103 (81%) incorrect and 21(16%) partially correct responses were recorded in this category. Subset analysis of experience and postgraduate qualifications was performed which revealed that inadequacy of awareness was uniform in all categories. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there are major gaps of knowledge regarding the drug resistance in Tuberculosis in health care providers highlighting the urgent need to address this issue.

Key words ;  Drug Resistant TB, MDR TB, XDR TB, Awareness, TB Advocacy

*Prof Dr Wajid Ali. Prof of Pulmonology and Critical Care Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi.
** Lt Col Arshad Naseem. Consultant Pulmonologist Military Hospital Rawalpindi.