臺灣醫科學生和醫師對恙蟲病的調查：知識和通報實務

Abstract

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Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is a febrile, vector-borne disease caused by the intracellular bacterium, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and is transmitted by the bite of infected larval trombiculid mites (Leptotrombidium spp.). Geographically Taiwan is diverse in ecology and its environment, creating habitats ideal for ST throughout the island. This research seeks reveal misconception and misunderstandings of scrub typhus among both medical students studying in Taiwan and physicians practicing in Taiwan. Methods: This study used purposive sampling to collect data through two self-administered anonymous online surveys via snowball sampling: (1) an assessment intended for medical students in Taiwan; and (2) a questionnaire intended for physicians who obtained licensure in and is practicing medicine in Taiwan. Results: A total of 50 responses was collected for the physicians with over half the participants reported that they have minimal barriers to reporting notifiable diseases, such as scrub typhus through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. A total of 111 responses was collected for the medical student assessment with less than half the respondents able to provide the correct diagnosis for scrub typhus and other similar diseases. Conclusions: This study provides relevant information about knowledge of scrub typhus among medical students and an insight to reporting practices of notifiable disease by physicians. Without a stable foundation in scrub typhus and similar diseases, populations in Taiwan remain at risk for this potentially fatal disease.