Study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of physicians towards obesity management in primary health care in Bahrain

Abstract

Aim: To examine the opinions of physicians in Bahrain regarding their role in obesity control, and to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards obesity prevention and management in primary health care. Design: A cross-sectional survey of physicians in Bahrain. A single-stage cluster sample was used, which included twelve health centres and 107 physicians. Ninety-seven physicians participated in the study with a 90 % response rate. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure physicians' knowledge and practices, their perceived role and potential limitations. Correction for design effect and finite population were considered in the analysis. Results: The majority of physicians in Bahrain (92 %) were aware of the obesity epidemic and 60 % of them felt capable of assuming a major role in obesity control, regardless of their negative views towards the success rates of weight management. Only 36 % agreed that they had effective weight-management practices. They were knowledgeable about weight-loss goals and showed a reasonable level of obesity identification, especially as part of chronic disease care (71 %). Physicians reported a high rate of utilization of various weight-loss strategies, except for pharmacotherapy and surgery. The major barriers identified in patient care included time constraints (91 %), lack of specialty clinics (81 %), absence of guidelines (78 %) and an inadequate number of dietitians (71 %). Sixty-four per cent reported that training in lifestyle counselling and behaviour modification are important requirements. Conclusions: Physicians in Bahrain showed a reasonable level of interest in participating in obesity prevention and management. It seems that there would be a good opportunity for better practice if physicians were supported with appropriate training and the constraints of their working environment were adequately addressed.

Experiences of obesity among Saudi Arabian women contemplating bariatric surgery: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

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“…Our findings are consistent with studies reporting lack of patients’ motivation, parental involvement and support services 13. Other known important barriers were related to time constraints, poor administrative support, and lack of sub-specialty groups for referral services 13-14,20,25. Our study also identified such factors and health services need multifaceted interventions to tackle childhood/adolescent overweight and obesity 14…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical staff towards obesity management in patients with spinal cord injuries: an International survey of four western European countries

“…Previous surveys have primarily focused on obesity management among general practitioners and found that practices regarding obesity management vary widely. [7][8][9] Weight gain after SCI is common. This is most likely due to reduced nutritional requirements secondary to enforced inactivity and immobilisation as a result of paralysis and changes in body composition, 17 most marked in tetraplegia.…”

“…1 Among medical staff, knowledge of attitudes towards and practices in the management of obesity have been studied in various English-speaking countries, especially among general practitioners. [6][7][8][9] However, despite high awareness of obesity as a medically significant issue, 10 the magnitude of the obesity epidemic remains high and is worsening, particularly in patients with neurological disabilities such as spinal cord injuries. 2 Weight management is not commonly offered to SCI patients, at least not in the United Kingdom.…”