Physician survey on knowledge and reporting practices of transfusion-transmitted infections in Canada.

OBJECTIVE

To assess physicians' knowledge and reporting practices of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional postal survey.

TARGET POPULATION: Family physicians and specialists.

METHODS

A survey questionnaire was sent by mail to 1,359 randomly selected physicians across Canada, and was followed up by a reminder telephone call.

RESULTS

A total of 546 (40%) physicians completed and returned the questionnaire. The data from 512 eligible practitioners across Canada were analyzed. Almost all physicians were knowledgeable on the transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV through blood and plasma derivatives. However, physicians' knowledge, particularly the family physicians', was generally lower for less well-known TTIs. For example, only 7.2% of family physicians recognized Babesiosis as a TTI. Of the total 318 physicians who have encountered patients with possible TTI, 50% of them reported such cases to public health or other authorities and many reported to more than one organization. Of the total 159 non-reporting physicians, 91.1% explained that the cases were already reported by laboratories or other physicians. More than 90% of respondents think that it is important or very important that physicians report the cases of TTI to public health authorities for the purpose of surveillance, and more than 80% of them think that it is important or very important to include TTI as a separate entity in the communicable diseases surveillance systems.

CONCLUSION

The majority of physicians recognize the more common TTIs and only 50% of them reported such cases. The majority of physicians support the reporting of TTI to public health authorities for surveillance. Recommendations are made to increase physicians' knowledge and reporting of TTI.