Role of Primary Healthcare Centers in Prevention of Overweight and Obesity, Baghdad, 2025.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32792/jmed.2025.29.35Keywords:
Obesity, overweight, PHCCs, knowledge; attitude; practiceAbstract
Background: About two-thirds of the population worldwide is obese oroverweight, and if the current trajectory continues, 50% of the population will be
obese by 2030. Community health centers and primary care providers are leading
the charge against this epidemic.
Aim of study: To report on sharing primary healthcare centers in the prevention
of obesity via knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary healthcare physicians.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with analytical components was conducted,
involving a total of 224 primary healthcare physicians for the period from
November 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025. In addition to demographic data, knowledge,
attitude, and practice were obtained using Likert scales. Scores of knowledge and
attitude out of scope, good and poor for knowledge, and positive and negative
attitudes were not included in the analysis.
Results: In this study, 43.8% of eligible participants showed a good level of
knowledge of preventing and managing obesity, 67.9% showed a positive attitude,
and 38.8% showed a good practice level. Higher qualifications were significantly
associated with good knowledge, but not with attitude or good practice.
Conclusion: Low figures of good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice
were observed in this study. Reforms in training for undergraduates and
postgraduates in medical schools are of importance.
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