Sickle Cell Disease Management in Primary Health Care Centers, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Physicians, Qatif, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: There are numerous and different types of studies done on the management of Sickle Cell Disease, although they have been made on a hospital basis whether in Saudi Arabia or worldwide, whereas when searching the literature for primary health care centres based, data was limited. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Qatif region, Eastern Province, KSA, in the period between May 2019- May-2020. Primary health centers (36 centers) belonging to MOH in Qatif region with approximately 160 physicians were included in this study. Primary health care physicians including general practitioners, family medicine diplomas, and board-certified were surveyed. Other physician’s specialties working in PHC such as radiologists, pediatricians, and dentists were excluded. Total coverage sampling was used with an electronic questionnaire were sent by emails and mobile messaging programs. The dependent variables were PHC physicians’ level of knowledge towards SCD management, attitude towards SCD management, and practices towards SCD management. Results: Out of 111 participants included from PHC Centers in Qatif and Dammam sectors, 44.1 % are males and 55.9 % are females. Most of the participants were 25-35 years old while only 2.7 % were above 55 years old. The participants were selected from Qatif region, based on the inclusion criteria, because SCD is common mainly in Qatif region. About 95.5 % of the participants were Saudis. Conclusion: Although three-quarters of the doctors answered the majority of questions correctly, the level of knowledge is considered inadequate regarding SCD, particularly in aspects of screening and management of SCD patients. Despite the positive attitudes regarding SCD treatment, the majority of doctors were not confident in the effect of treatment on patients’ quality of life. Practices such as referral to the hematologists and prescription of folic acid were the most commonly reported practices.