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Testing clinical surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Egypt post‐eradication of poliomyelitis
Author(s) -
AbdelMannan O. A.,
Harris M. J.,
Parker J. A.,
Aly G. S.,
ElSayed N. M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02636.x
Subject(s) - medicine , poliomyelitis , family medicine , public health , front line , pediatrics , physical therapy , nursing , political science , law
Summary Objective To assess the knowledge of polio detection and notification by front‐line clinicians in Egypt. Methods This study examines clinicians’ knowledge and awareness of polio detection and notification using a multiple‐choice questionnaire (maximum score = 43) in three large health care centres in central Cairo ( n = 52). Results The results reveal a significant variation of knowledge amongst doctors, with junior and senior house officers scoring an average of 30.6 (95% CI: 29.5–31.7), specialist registrars and consultant paediatricians 30.3 (CI 28.9–31.7), and public health doctors 35.4 (CI 32.9–36.8). Mean total scores of public health doctors were significantly higher than those of other clinicians. Senior paediatricians performed no better than newly qualified doctors. Conclusions The results suggest that there is a need for more clinical teaching and training amongst junior doctors as well as senior clinicians and consultants. Appropriate knowledge of diagnosing AFP and of the correct protocol amongst clinicians is essential to maintain the high quality of the WHO programme in Egypt.