Physician Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Chagas Disease in Tabasco, Mexico

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Jun;98(6):1743-1747. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0495. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Abstract

We designed and implemented a survey of physician knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to Chagas disease in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Seventy-eight public sector physicians from across the state responded via Research Electronic Data Capture, an online survey capture tool. Improved performance on knowledge-based questions (P < 0.01) and an increase in decisions to screen (P = 0.04) were associated with previous training specific to this disease. Our results provide important descriptive information regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices among a group of public sector Mexican doctors and highlight the importance of Chagas disease-specific physician training for identification and, ultimately, treatment of patients affected by this disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chagas Disease / diagnosis*
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology
  • Chagas Disease / therapy
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Physicians
  • Pilot Projects
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult