The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Primary Care Physicians tward Peripartum Depression in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: 2018

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

Dr. Narjes Alkhater, Dr. Fatimah Alnasser, Dr. Nasser Bukhamseen, Dr. Areej M. Al Qahtani, Dr. Mohamed Ali Al Amin, Dr. Maha Eltawansy

Dealing with Peripartum Depression (PPD) in primary care would improve detection and management. This cross–sectional study assessed

physicians� knowledge, attitudes, and prac–tice regarding PPD in the Eastern Province. It was conducted on general and family physi–cians in

primary health centers in Qatif, Dammam, and Khobar in Saudi Arabia�s Eastern Province. Participants self–completed questionnaires

electronically. Descriptive statistics, as–sociations, and predictors of practice were determined. Most physicians were not trained in diagnosis or

treatment (76.4% and 82.4%, respectively); 76.7% answered correctly regarding PPD treatment; 64.1% regarding screening; and 52.6% regarding

diagnosis. More than half (56.3%) perceived PPD negatively and most rarely assessed PPD appropriately. Specialty and training showed statistical

significance (p = 0.040, 0.017). Knowledge, attitude, and training in PPD predicted diagnosis (p = 0.002). Thus, the participants had average PPD

knowledge and substandard practice. PPD knowledge, attitudes, and training in the management thereof predict PPD practice in primary

healthcare.