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

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.