Knowledge and perception on paediatric sepsis. Medical inquiry

Abstract

Sepsis is the main cause of children death around the world, and spends many health resources. The objective of this study is finding out the doctors´ knowledge on sepsis in paediatric patients. We carried out a prospective descriptive study in the period from January to February 2009 applying an inquiry to 103 doctors of the province of Matanzas working full time or part time in settings receiving paediatric patients suspected or with evidences of sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock. The inquiry states the characterization of the doctors and explores the comprehension of the problem, the knowledge on the diagnosis, the predisposing facts and the initial sepsis management. 67 % of all the participants considered to have a medium knowledge, 21,3 % high and 11,7 % low. The best results were in comprehending the entity and its initial management, with fewer achievements in definitions. The study shows that professionals diagnosing and treating sepsis have knowledge and perception on it, but they are neither even nor sufficient.