Knowledge attitude and practice survey in medical graduates regarding topical corticosteroids: A cross sectional study conducted at medical university of North India

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Original Article

Author Details : Parul Verma*, Sucheta Pathania, Swastika Suvirya, Prakriti Shukla

Volume : 5, Issue : 2, Year : 2019

Article Page : 133-136

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijced.2019.029

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Abstract

Introduction: Abuse of Topical corticosteroids (TCS) is common irrespective of the literacy status of people. It is sad when a Medical Graduate uses topical steroids for wrong indications and wrong duration.
Aims: to evaluate Knowledge Attitude and Practice in Medical Graduate (MG) students of a medical university in north India regarding topical corticosteroids use and to sensitize them regarding its misuse.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional questionnaire based survey conducted among MG. Medical graduates including internsand post graduate students were approached. The entire activity consisted of a pre test followed by a presentation on topical steroids use/ misuse and finally feedback was taken.
Results: Total students included were 270. One hundred and sixty five (61.1%) students had previously prescribed TCS in different skin conditions, most commonly being clobetasol. One hundred and ninety three (71.4%) medical graduates were not aware of the different potencies of TCS, and 159(58.8%) were unaware of adverse effects it produces. Two hundred and twenty two (82.2%) of the MG were never sensitized before about TCS misuse.
Conclusions: Medical graduates commonly prescribe TCS to patients. However the basic knowledge of TCS use/misuse was not known to many of them and many of them had prescribed TCS for non-indicated skin conditions. This highlights the importance of TCS awareness during undergraduate training.

Keywords: Topical corticosteroids, Survey, Medical graduates.

How to cite : Verma P, Pathania S, Suvirya S, Shukla P, Knowledge attitude and practice survey in medical graduates regarding topical corticosteroids: A cross sectional study conducted at medical university of North India. IP Indian J Clin Exp Dermatol 2019;5(2):133-136

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