Knowledge, attitude, and practice among primary health-care and obstetrics and gynecology physicians in postpartum care services in National Guard Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, is defined as the first 12 weeks postpartum. Primary health care (PHC) plays an important role in providing a comprehensive postpartum care to mothers. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of postpartum care among PHC physicians and obstetrics and gynecology physicians. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of PHC physicians and obstetrics and gynecology physicians in postpartum care services at Western Region, Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; version 27.0) was used for data analysis. Proportions and tables were used to summarize categorical data. Results: A total of 159 responses were analyzed with 65.4% response rate. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) for knowledge score was 15 (13–17). The median (IQR) for attitude was 20 (18–22), while the median (IQR) for practice total scores was 3 (2–4). Knowledge and practice scores showed significant differences between all the groups. On the other hand, attitude only showed significant differences between males and females, favoring a better attitude among females (P = 0.014). Conclusions: There were good levels of KAP associated especially with female physicians and higher physician levels. Minor differences were noticed between different groups in our sample according to age, gender, specialty, and years of experience.

Keywords

• contraception
• depression
• family medicine
• postpartum