PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS’ KNOWLEDGE AND ADHERENCE TO HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES IN SOUTHWEST OF SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Objective: Aim of the study: to measure adherence of primary health care (PHC) physicians in Jazan to Saudi guidelines for the management of hypertension (SHMGs). Specific Objectives: -To assess the source of guidelines PHC physicians in Jazan is using for management of hypertension cases. -To measure knowledge of PHC physicians in Jazan about Saudi hypertension guidelines.Design and method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 170 PHC centers in Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected from 316 PHC physicians working in Jazan from June until September 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: 316 PHC physicians in Jazan participated in the present study; their mean of age (SD) was 38.17 ± 9. More than half of the participants were males (53%). The majority of PHC physicians were non-Saudi (72.47%). Most of the participants were General practice (61.7%). The results revealed that the total Knowledge score of PHC physicians was 7.96 ± 2.55, and the total practice score 7.29 ± 1.69 concerning HTN Saudi hypertension management guidelines. An average number of patients seen daily at the clinic (P = 0.015) and Attendance of training sessions for HTN management (P = 0.020) were the significant factors associated with the level of knowledge and adherence concerning the SHMGs in our study. Conclusions: The present study concluded that PHC physicians in Jazan did not fully adhere to all Saudi Hypertension Management Guidelines. The total mean score of the physician's knowledge and practice showed undesirable results. The reason could be explained through low levels of work experience and not having attended any training courses; the study suggested an urgent need for performing continuous education courses on high Blood Pressure levels.