Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Medical Doctors in Southern Nigeria.

Nwosu, N, Ugoeze, F, Ufoaroh, C U, Omejua, E, Anyim, O, Chima, E, Odilinye, H, Enemo, E and Awokola, Babatunde (2020) 'Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Medical Doctors in Southern Nigeria.'. West African journal of medicine, Vol 37, Issue 7, pp. 783-789.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND
Despite the high global burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), doctors' knowledge of OSA was reported to be generally poor. Data on knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors regarding OSA are scarce in Africa. The only Nigerian study providing data on this included few participants and did not assess practice. We assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors regarding OSA in southern Nigeria with the aim of finding gaps in knowledge and practice.

METHODS
We sent out online survey monkey self-administered structured questionnaires to the WhatsApp numbers or e-mails of 1917 eligible medical doctors. The questionnaires were used to collect data on demography of the medical doctors, their professional history and knowledge of OSA symptoms; general facts, risks factors, and treatment regarding OSA; and their attitude and practice in relation to OSA.

RESULTS
Data from five hundred and eighty one respondents (mean age, 39.8 ± 8.7) were analyzed. Overall mean knowledge score was 25.3±6.3 (68.6±17.2 percent). The mean knowledge score of Internists, Family Physicians, General practitioners and Surgeons were 28.2±5.0; 25.0±6.9; and 24.5±5.8 and 24.2±6.7 respectively. Only 47% and 51% of the respondents respectively affirmed that hypertension and diabetes mellitus were associated with increased risk of OSA; and 7.2% referred suspected OSA patients for polysomnography.

CONCLUSION
The level of knowledge of OSA among participating doctors was poor. Most of them had the right attitude to OSA but their practice and care of OSA patients was suboptimal. We suggest improvement in care through education and provision of diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 21 Medicine as a profession. QS Anatomy > QS 4 General works. Classify here works on regional anatomy WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WF Respiratory System > WF 100 General works
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Related URLs:	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33296488...
Depositing User:	Rachael O'Donoghue
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2020 14:20
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2021 13:47
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/16454

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