Testing clinical surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Egypt post-eradication of poliomyelitis.

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.