Knowledge, Attitude and Perceived Practice of the management of Osteoarthritis Among Physicians in Primary Health Care Centers in Khobar, Dammam and Qatif in Saudi Arabia: 2019, A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Introduction:
The greatest portion of healthcare provided for osteoarthritis patients occurs in PHC setting. Knowledge and attitudes of osteoarthritis care among physicians in PHC is essential for provision of good healthcare for the patients. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and perceived practice of the management of Osteoarthritis among physicians working in the ministry of health (MOH) primary health care centers (PHCCs) in the Eastern Province of KSA.
Methods:
This is a cross sectional study targeted all physicians working in Khobar, Dammam and Qatif PHCs of MOH, Saudi Arabia. Dentists, Radiologists, Physicians working in pure administrative work who are not in contact with patients were excluded from this study. Data were collected from physicians through an electronic self-administered questionnaire.
Results:
A total sample of 204 medical practitioner from primary healthcare centers, working in Eastern province, were included in this study. More than a half of the respondents were females (59.3%) and the majority (98%) were Saudis. The majority (55.9%) of the medical practitioners had poor knowledge about osteoarthritis. The least correctly answered that shoulder, in the present study, was the least affected joint with only 36.3% correct answers. About 92% answered correctly that osteoarthritis had multifactorial causes. The greatest proportion of the respondents (96.1%) thought that osteoarthritis is a common health problem in KSA. The most common non-pharmacological practice, in the present study, was initiating weight loss which is reported by 77% while the most common pharmacological practice was prescribing Acetaminophen which is reported by 75.5%, followed by NSAIDS (63.7%). Significant determinants for knowledge were specialty and presence of previous training in osteoarthritis.
Conclusions:
The level of knowledge about osteoarthritis among PHC physicians was inadequate as the majority had poor level of knowledge. Generally, negative attitudes were not common among the respondents but those who responded as neutral were quite common. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological practices were quite common among the physicians.
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