Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing-remitting dermatosis commonly presented in primary healthcare facilities. Although there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are essential in the management of atopic dermatitis and in preventing its complications. Primary healthcare physicians are the first to encounter most patients with atopic dermatitis; hence, correct practices and knowledge of atopic dermatitis are important among primary healthcare physicians. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of primary healthcare physicians concerning diagnosing and treating patients with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary health care physicians working at governmental primary health centers in Bahrain to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards atopic dermatitis. In addition, a self-administered online questionnaire was distributed among the participants using online surveys.

Results: A total of two hundred and eighty (n=280) primary healthcare physicians were recruited (response rate 80%). The average knowledge score (correct answers) was 46.7 ± 14.0 out of 100. Being a general practitioner (P<0.002), having more years of experience (P=0.044), and being of older age (P=0.003) were significantly associated with a lower knowledge score. The study also showed a wide range of varying practices among participants in managing patients with atopic dermatitis.

Conclusion: There were significant variations in the knowledge and practice amongst primary care physicians towards atopic dermatitis that could delay the treatment of the condition and, therefore, possibly decrease treatment adherence. Conducting targeted educational interventions and developing strategies by dermatologists could minimize such gaps in practice and knowledge.

Keywords: Atopic, Dermatitis, Bahrain, Physicians, Primary Care