Greener Journal of Medical Sciences

Greener Journal of  Medical Sciences Vol. 2 (5), pp. 120-129, November 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7797  

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 101812118

 

Knowledge and attitude of primary health care doctors towards obesity management, Kuwait

 

¹Anwar A Al-Najjar, ¹Najlah JM Al-Jasem, ¹Yasmeen F Al-Quraini, ²Osama Salama and *³Medhat K El-Shazly

 

¹Al-Rehab clinic

²Department of Community medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt & Department of Health Information and Medical records, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.

³Department of Medical Statistics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.

& Department of Health Information and Medical records, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.

 

*Corresponding Author’s E mail: medshaz @ yahoo.com, Mobile: +965 66612524

Abstract:

Background: Obesity is a significant public health issue constituting an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality as well as complicating the management of other medical conditions.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to reveal knowledge, attitude and practice of PHC physicians as regarding overweight and obesity management.
Methods: This study was a cross sectional descriptive survey that was conducted in all PHC centers in Kuwait. All physicians currently working in these centers during the study period were invited to participate in the study. Data was collected through a specially designed, self-administered questionnaire.
Results: More than 4 fifths of participants (84.1%) declared that they didn't receive any obesity specialized courses or training, 61.8% thought they have limited knowledge about obesity management while 25.8% thought that they have good knowledge, while the rest (12.2%) have no knowledge.

Regarding health risks related to obesity, the score of correct knowledge showed a mean score of 66.49+16.12%. Knowledge concerning diseases which could be controlled by weight reduction, showed an overall mean % score of 63.01+14.08. It was found that 26.6% of them believed that obesity is a health problem in Kuwait and 37.4% believed that they have limited role in obesity control. The vast majority of the sample agreed that normal body weight or even small weight reduction should be encouraged (86.4% & 84.7% respectively). However 63.2% agreed that few people can reduce their weight. Just less than one third of the sample agreed that different lines of management of obesity are needed.
The majority used dietary or physical activity advice or both (90.9%, 94.9% respectively). The most frequent, major limitation agreed upon by physicians was short consultation time and work overload (85.8%).
Conclusions: knowledge and attitudes of physicians are acceptable. However, there is, room for improvement and could be done through formal training courses and distribution of guidelines. As a final point, major limitations in weight management should be taken into consideration

Key words: Obesity, physician, knowledge, PHC

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