Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Knowledge Attitude and Practice toward Geriatric Health Care among General Practitioners Working in Primary Health Care Centers at Al-Karkh/Baghdad

Qais Ajam*

Introduction: Number of persons 65years of age and older continue to increase dramatically in the world. Health maintenance screening of this population is becoming an important task for primary health physicians. There is a widespread lack of interest in and negative attitude toward the elderly among medical professionals and the elderly are often viewed as sick, dependent, unproductive, unattractive, and unpleasant people. Methods: Across-sectional study was conceded in the primary health care centres which belong to the Al-Karkh sector in Baghdad city during the period between (February to May 2016). A sample of 200 doctors was included in the study, the response rate (90.0%). The questionnaire was filled by the studied sample. Demographic and professional data about doctors were collected. In addition, the responses of the included doctors to 42 knowledge, 9 attitude and 16 practice questions were recorded. Results: The proportion of doctors who had fair to good knowledge toward geriatric healthcare was (57.8%), attitude and practice were found to be (77.8%, 72.8%) respectively. About (66.7%) of the studied doctors had the positive attitude toward the need for improvement only (38.9%) of the doctors does complete history and physical examination for every elderly patient. Regarding screening, about less than half of the answers were correct. Regarding counselling, most of the sample studied had a good practice in counselling their patient about smoking cessation, physical activity promotion, healthful diet and polypharmacy. Conclusion: This study may reflect some weaknesses in the area of geriatric care especially in the knowledge part by general practitioners working in primary health care centres which call for conduction of geriatric care training programs.

Published Date: 2021-03-11; Received Date: 2021-02-17