Knowledge and practice of unqualified and semi-qualified allopathic providers in rural Bangladesh: Implications for the HRH problem

Objectives To explore current knowledge and practice of the unqualified/semi-qualified allopathic providers in the informal sector in rural Bangladesh to develop informed and need-based intervention for them. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in three conveniently selected sub-districts in the northern part of Bangladesh where a targeted poverty alleviation programme for the ultra poor was initiated in 2002. Semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaires were used to elicit information on socio-demographic, training and professional characteristics, and knowledge and practices on some common illnesses and conditions. Two-way and three-way cross-tabulations were done to compare and contrast the different groups, using SPSS PC+ ver.12. Results The different groups of providers were found to possess superficial knowledge on the conditions they commonly provide services for.…