Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of general practitioners regarding tetanus immunization in adults.
Setting: The study was conducted in District Central, Karachi.
Study design: This was a Knowledge, Attitude and practices (KAP) survey.
Methods: From a list of 1050 general practitioners (GPs), 100 were selected through simple random sampling and interviewed through a written questionnaire.
Results: Only 25% general practitioners had adequate knowledge about pre-exposure and 13% both pre- and post-exposure tetanus immunization. All were ready to participate in any program to update their knowledge. Ninety seven percent were practicing only post-exposure immunization. In unimmunized patients with history of road side/street injury, 55% started tetanus immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT) only, 43% with Anti Tetanus Serum/Tetanus Immunoglobin (ATS/TIG) and only 2% with both TT and ATS/TIG. Only 13% GPs advised their patients to complete three doses of tetanus toxoid after initial contact.
Conclusion: As majority of GPs had poor knowledge and incorrect practices so interventions like seminars and display of immunization protocols in the clinics are recommended.