Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general practitioners toward chronic hepatitis B in Muscat governorate | ||||
| Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis | ||||
| Article 6, Volume 9.1, Issue 1, March 2025, Page 37-42 PDF (478.83 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjvh.2025.443644 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Zahir Al-Kharusi  1; Fathiya Al-Shariqi2; Shaima Al-Mazrooi3; Abeer Al-Harrasi3; Manal Al-Dhanki2; Ikram Nasr4
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| 1internal medicine, Al-Nahdah hospital, Ministry of health, Sultanate of Oman | ||||
| 2Primary Care, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. | ||||
| 3Primary Care, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman | ||||
| 4Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Khoula Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) inf-ection is a global challenge, with primary care physicians playing a key role in its management. Despite the success of Oman's vaccination program in reducing prevalence, gaps in physician knowledge and practice may hinder effective care. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Omani general practitioners (GPs) regarding HBV for the first time. Methods: The crosses sectional study included 280 GPs in Muscat Governorate. GPs were approached directly at their health centers during working hours. The investigator distributed hard copies of the questio-nnnaire after coordinating with each center's sup-ervising physician. For those on afternoon shifts, questionnaires were left with supervisors for com-pletion. The questionnaire, adapted from a validated 2014 study on KAP towards CHB in Saudi Arabia, was rigorously validated. It included sections on demog-raphics, knowledge, practice, and attitudes, with a cover page containing study details and informed consent. Result: Out of the 280 GP participants, 186 (71.54%) responded and took part in the study. The mean scores were as follows: knowledge 67.12/ 100 (±16.45), indicating critical gaps such as misc-onceptions about perinatal chronicity, treatment efficacy, and genotype awareness; attitudes 68.26/ 100 (±10.45), with only 33.5% expressing low occupational concern; practices 84.91/100 (±9.53), although there were gaps in areas like vaccination recognition and confidence in managing HBsAg+ cases. Practice scores were significantly correlated with age over 40 years, non-Omani nationality, foreign medical training, and experience over 20 years. Knowledge had a weak influence on practice (r= 0.17). Conclusion: Omani GPs show moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and strong practices regarding HBV care, but there are still significant gaps. Targeted continuing medical education is crucial to improve HBV care in Oman and align with global elimination goals. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Chronic hepatitis B virus; primary care physicians; knowledge; attitudes; and practices | ||||
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