Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Primary Care Physicians towards Diabetes diagnosis and management in Damietta District –Egypt.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Community medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University

Abstract

Background: Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are at the first line of defense in the treatment and guidance of diabetic patients. Appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practices of PCPs who work at PHC facilities are the determining factors in diabetes, which would further result in good metabolic control and protection against diabetic complications. In spite of the significant advances in the diabetes diagnosis and treatment, there is a wide gap between optimum management goals and outcomes. Lack of up-to-date knowledge, inappropriate attitudes, and malpractice of health-care providers as regards diabetes control might have a significant role in the failure to achieve management goals. The current work aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of PCPs towards Diabetes in Egypt. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out including all PHC centers and unities in Damietta district in Damietta governorate. A predesigned pre-tested interview questionnaire was utilized to evaluate their knowledge, attitude and practice .Results: Data revealed that 57.2, 58.2& 62.6 %, of PCPs had lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitudes and poor practices towards Diabetes diagnosis and management; respectively. The most significant predictive factors for inappropriate KAP were having bachelor or master degree only and working experience less than 5 years. There is a need for educational programs targeting PCPs in order to combat such a problem. Conclusion: PHC physicians’ knowledge, attitude, and practice grades towards diabetes are poor. There is necessity for improving KAP among PHC physicians regarding screening, effective treatment, prevention of diabetic complications and educating diabetics.

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