Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Diabetes among Saudi MOH Primary Healthcare Physicians in Jeddah: A Cross Sectional Study
Date
2019-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine & Sciences
Abstract
Background: Role of primary care physicians in managementof diabetes mellitus is very essential. Their attitudes andpractices are influenced by their knowledge; therefore, theimportance of healthcare providers in promoting understandingand helpful attitudes about diabetes cannot be underestimated.Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude andpractice of general physicians regarding diabetes in Jeddahcity.Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study wasconducted throughout the period 1st June to 31st August 2018among a representative sample of general practitionersworking at Ministry of Health (MOH) primary health carecentres in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. A structured selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data. It iscomprised of four sections, starting with demographicinformation and clinical experience, 12 questions measuringthe respondent’s knowledge of diabetes diagnosis, treatmentand complications, 9 questions evaluating physician’s attitudetowards diabetes control and 6 questions measuring thephysician’s practices toward their diabetic patients.Results: The study included 171 physicians. Femalesrepresent 58.5% of them. Almost half of them (50.9%) agedbetween 30 and 39 years. Majority of the physicians (82.5%)were Saudis. Overall, the knowledge score percentage rangedbetween 8.33% and 100% with a mean of 69.7% and standarddeviation of ±9.4%. Female physicians (p=0.007), thoseworking at diabetic clinics (p<0.001) and have seenbetween 51 and 100 patients/ week (p = 0.005) were moreknowledgeable. Overall, based on median level of the attitudescore, more than half of the physicians (54.4%) had positiveattitude towards DM and its control. Overall, the practice scorepercentage ranged between 0% and 100% with a mean of67.3% and standard deviation of 22.8%. Physicians working atdiabetic clinics (p<0.001) and those without history of DMamong first degree relatives (p=0.036) expressed betterpractice than others.Conclusion: General practitioners had fair knowledgeregarding DM with deficiency in some important aspects. Theirattitude towards diabetic control is quite acceptable. However,their practice regarding some important aspects wassuboptimal.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Diabetes, Primary Healthcare, Physicians.
Citation
Theban Ali Ahmed, MD, DFE, Majed Awad Bajaba, MD, ABFM. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Diabetes among Saudi MOH Primary Healthcare Physicians in Jeddah: A Cross Sectional Study. International Journal of Medical Research Professionals. 2019 Jan; 5(1): 192-201