فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Hypertension as a community health problem, showing an increasing trendin many parts of the world. Controlling the disease depends on knowledge, attitude andpractice (KAP) of general physicians as the main health providers in the community. In thisstudy, the impact of KAP of general physicians on hypertension, as the first line of treatmentof hypertension was evaluated.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 300 general physicians working in health and treatmentsectors of Fars Province, southern Iran were entered in our study and their KAP weredetermined utilizing a validated and reliable questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of52 items incorporated in four sections.Results: The mean age of general physicians was 38.2 ± 3.6 years. 64.2%, 20.3%, and26.5% of general physicians were visited by four to eight, more than eight, and less thanfour hypertensive patients per week respectively. Although 99% of physicians believed inthe importance of hypertension as a community health problem, but 12% had requestedfor appropriate paraclinical tests and 20% could handle hypertensive patients properly.Only 45% of physicians had measured their own blood pressure within the last year ofpractice. Scientific meetings and educational programs were more important than informationprovided by drug companies and journals in promotion of knowledge, attitude andpractice of general physicians.Conclusion: Since the physician’s knowledge, attitude and practice are important issues incontrolling and prevention of hypertension, promotion of their knowledge on hypertensionseems necessary in prevention of subsequent complications.