Knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary care physicians about developmental dysplasia of the hip in a tertiary referral hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the current knowledge, attitude, and practice of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) management among primary care physicians (PCP) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study on PCP from a single health-care system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted using a survey questionnaire to evaluate the medical knowledge, attitude, and current practice in the clinics, including diagnosis and screening skills. Results: Sixty-five PCPs participated in the survey, 32 (49.2%) were general practitioners and 33 (50.8%) were fellows and consultants. Only six physicians (9.2%) had formal training on DDH management. Twenty respondents (30.8%) had poor knowledge, while 45 (69.2%) had sufficient knowledge of DDH. Most of the respondents believed in the importance of asking about risk factors, the presence of DDH screening protocols and community awareness, and 89.2% of the respondents believed they need to go for further training about DDH. Fifty-nine respondents (90.8%) would refer a DDH case to an orthopedic surgeon when there are positive findings by a radiograph or ultrasound. Forty-two (64.6%) never examined the hip for DDH, and 30 (46.2%) never referred a DDH case. Conclusion: Knowledge of DDH among our PCP directly involved in the screening and management of DDH is sufficient. However, there is a discordance between knowledge to attitude and practice.