Knowledge of Medical Professionals Towards Dengue Diagnostics

Abstract

Dengue is a major public health problem throughout the world. It is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease with high rate of morbidity and mortality. Dengue can be reduced by implementing early case detection, reorienting health services, improving outbreak prediction and detection through coordinated epidemic and appropriate vector management. Various diagnostic techniques like ELISA, Rapid tests, etc. are very useful in diagnosis of dengue. Diagnosis of dengue is the most essential step to curb any mass outbreak of the disease. OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the study were to find the existing knowledge of Dengue among medical professionals and preference of diagnostic techniques of dengue and to elicit acceptability and affordability of such measures and to highlight the policies regarding dengue diagnostics. METHODA questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 doctors using a pretested open-ended questionnaire. The result was analysed and interpreted. RESULTSThe knowledge of medical professionals regarding the preference of dengue diagnostics varies; 56% of the medical professionals prefer IgM antibody ELISA test, 41% prefer NS I antigen test and only 3% prefer RT -PCR; 100% of the medical professionals agreed that platelet count decreases during the course of infection. An increase of haematocrit value was thought to be important by 73% professionals. Interestingly, 20% of the medical professionals reported that no change in haematocrit value and 7% reported that haematocrit value would decrease. The knowledge of availability of ELISA was 72%. However, 83% of medical professionals agreed that IgM antibody ELISA test was a rapid test for Dengue diagnosis. CONCLUSIONLaboratory infrastructure, technical expertise and research capacity must be improved in order to positively influence dengue surveillance, clinical case management and development of new approaches to dengue control. CME on dengue is suggested to improve the knowledge on diagnostic facilities and its sensitivity, specificity and reliability.