KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE TOWARD PERIODIC MEDICAL CHECKUP AMONG ADULTS IN HUE CITY IN 2016

Abstract

Objectives: Periodic medical checkup (PMC) is a common and effective form of preventive medicine while the practice of this in Vietnam is still limited and with low attention and awareness. There are not many existing studies of PMC in Vietnam. This study aimed to study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of PMC as well as to understand the related factors of PMC. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 1.002 people aged 18 and over in Hue city, using a structured questionnaire was conducted. Results: 42.6% of the respondents had good general knowledge. 92.4% of people thought that all people needed to have PMC but only 41.8% of participants had good attitude for PMC. There were 21.2% of people performing PMC in the last12 months. Blood tests were the most common procedure peformed by the participants (86.8%), followed by general abdominal ultrasonography (75.5%) and internal medicine (74.1%). Education levels, occupation, income level and owning health insurance card were associated to the practice of PMC (p <0.05). Conclusions: The study showed a high percentage of people having good knowledge and attitude of PMC and a low percentage of those having good practice of PMC. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies and policies in order to encourage people to get PMC as well as to enhance the communication and raise the awareness of people on PMC Key words: Knowledge, attitude, practice, periodic medical checkup