Physician Perception and Diagnosis of IPI among Patients with GI Symptoms in Ghana

What is it about?

This study evaluated physicians’ perception and diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. This cross-sectional survey used a Google form questionnaire distributed online. Demographic and clinical practice information was solicited, including if “IPI was considered as a diagnosis in the last patient seen,” “if stool investigation was requested among the last patients seen,” and physicians’ perception of the burden of IPI in the country.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are common parasitic infections reported globally but predominantly seen in tropical areas especially in places bedeviled by poor socioeconomic situations like poor sanitation, inadequate potable water supply, open defecation, and poor personal hygiene. In Ghana, IPI is a well-recognized public health problem. No study in Ghana has looked at the diagnostic practice of the physicians concerning IPI; hence, this study evaluates physicians’ perception and how they diagnose cases of IPI in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

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