# Knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians in Shenzhen regarding pediatric streptococcal pharyngitis diagnosis and treatment

## TL;DR

This study examines how clinicians in Shenzhen diagnose and treat pediatric strep throat, finding that knowledge and practice are influenced by guideline exposure and experience.

## Contribution

The study identifies factors influencing clinicians' knowledge and practices in managing pediatric GAS pharyngitis in Shenzhen.

## Key findings

- Knowledge scores correlated with practice scores, but not with attitudes.
- Guideline exposure and hospital level significantly influenced clinicians' knowledge and practices.
- Longer years of practice improved practice scores, highlighting experience's role in treatment quality.

## Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the current status of clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the diagnosis and management of pediatric group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and the factors influencing them in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.

For this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire (12 KAP items, 6 descriptive items) developed using the Delphi method was administered to 190 practicing clinicians in Shenzhen from February 23 to February 25, 2025. The data were analyzed using t tests and analysis of variance, with comparisons performed according to demographic characteristics and, after KAP dichotomization (≥ 75% threshold), hospital type. Pearson correlations between KAP scores were assessed, and significant univariate predictors of KAP were examined using multiple linear regression analysis.

Knowledge score correlated with practice score (r = 0.351, p < 0.05), but attitude score did not correlate with knowledge score (r = 0.048, p > 0.05) and practice score (r = 0.072, p > 0.05). Respondents’ knowledge was influenced by factors such as guideline exposure, the hospital level, and age (all p < 0.05). Their practices were influenced by factors such as guideline exposure, the hospital level, and years of practice (all p < 0.05). Systematic guideline exposure had a positive predictive effect on respondents’ knowledge levels (p < 0.05). The practice scores of individuals with more than 20 years of practice were significantly higher than those of individuals with 4–20 years of practice (p < 0.05).

The present study showed that clinicians in Shenzhen have a relatively advanced level of expertise and positive attitudes regarding the diagnosis and management of GAS pharyngitis in children. However, the extent of their knowledge was influenced by their degree of systematic exposure to diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and their practice expertise was constrained by their experience, potentially exacerbating antibiotic resistance. Standardized guideline application should be strengthened and clinicians’ practical skills should be improved to enhance guideline adherence and promote high-quality care delivery.