Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary health care physician towards geriatric health in Bahrain

Abstract EN

Background: with the increase in the elderly population worldwide there is an increased likelihood of developing health problems, and therefore an increased demand for provision of a high standard of care.

This places the emphasis on improved knowledge and commitment to work with older people as well as a demonstration of appropriate attitude when dealing with elderly patients to achieve improved quality of care.

The study aimed to assess Primary Health Care Physicians' knowledge of ageing, their attitude towards geriatric population and possible contributing factors that affect their knowledge and attitude.

Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out on three hundred and fifty-one Primary Healthcare physicians using a self-answered modified “Facts on Ageing” questionnaire for knowledge assessment, and the University of California at Los Angeles Geriatric attitude scale (UCLA- GAS) to assess their attitudes.

Results: A total of 237 primary health care doctors responded and filled in the questionnaire representing 67.5% of all PHC doctors working in the Ministry of Health in Bahrain.

The key findings showed that the average percentage of the knowledge score of the participants was 57.3%.

Statistically insignificant results were noted with respect to the participants’ characteristics and level of knowledge.

A significant number of the participating physicians had a neutral attitude towards the elderly population, with no statistical significance noted when an association with the physicians' characteristics were studied.

Conclusion: This study was the first to be conducted in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess the knowledge and attitude of primary health care physicians towards the elderly population.

It aimed to identify the gaps in knowledge, improve and encourage a more positive attitude and ultimately achieve a high standard of care towards the elderly population.