Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Medical Clinicians Regarding Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in Hyderabad, India.

Abstract Background Food allergy (FA) is a chronic condition of emerging global concern. Surveys have been conducted in numerous countries to assess physician knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) pertaining to FA and anaphylaxis and substantial deficits in their KAP were identified. Objective The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of medical clinicians in Hyderabad, India with respect to FA and anaphylaxis. Methods: A regionally representative sample of 570 medical doctors: 113 general practitioners, 123 pediatricians, 110 pulmonologists, 113 dermatologists and 111 gastroenterologists were recruited from all major institutions in Hyderabad, India. A validated questionnaire was used to assess their KAP. Results Overall 90% of questions were correctly answered and differences emerged with respect to specific items—namely the lateral thigh as preferred location for epinephrine administration (p=.001), positive skin prick test or RAST as sufficient for FA diagnosis (p=0.04)], and the appropriate epinephrine dose for a 27kg child (p=.006). About 95% of the participants in each group were confident in their ability to care for FA patients, yet 91% desired additional periodic FA training sessions. Conclusion Survey findings suggest while FA knowledge among South Indian clinicians appears high across all major specialties who care for food-allergic patients, with differences in knowledge amongst them, which in turn reflects the differences in attitude and approach towards their patients. These FA care providers still desire further continuing medical education efforts in the field of food allergy. Efforts to provide periodic training and education for all clinical food allergy care providers remain vital in South India.