Knowledge, attitude, and practice of osteoporosis among physicians in primary health care centers in al-ahsa, saudi arabia, 2017-2018

Background: Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue which lead to increase the risk of bone fracture.(1)(2)In Saudi Arabia, osteoporosis is very common and the prevalence was estimated at 34% in women and 30.7% in men who their age between 50 years and 79 years.(3)
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of osteoporosis among Physicians in primary health care centers in Al-Ahsa.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 198 PHC physicians (198/280=70.7% response rate) from a total of 280 physicians working in 72 PHC centers scattered all over Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January to July 2018. Data of the study was collected using an online questionnaire which contains questions to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of osteoporosis among physicians. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis.
Results: Themajority of participants 48% in age group 26-30 years. About 82% of physicians were residents and 86% were Saudi. About 56% of the participants have good knowledge and 44% have poor knowledge toward osteoporosis. Majority of participants had shown a positive attitude toward osteoporosis. About 57% of the physicians had followed the guideline for treating osteoporosis and only 39% had a subscription in medical journal or website help them in the management of osteoporosis. Approximately 77% of them had accessibility to biochemical testing and 8% had accessibility to perform DEXA.
Conclusion: There is a big recognized defect in the knowledge and practice of osteoporosis among physicians. We need to develop educational and training programs for physicians in PHCC to improve their approach to osteoporosis.