Knowledge levels of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among physicians in primary care and related factors: a survey in Zhumadian City of Henan Province / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To survey the knowledge levels of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) among physicians in primary care and related factors.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted during December 2020 to December 2021 among 1 232 primary care doctors in Zhumadian City of Henan Province. The questionnaire included basic information, knowledge of COPD and its management, and the training received. The COPD-related knowledge levels and the influencing factors were analyzed using logistic regression model.Results:A total of 1 232 questionnaires were collected, and 1 221(99.1%) were valid, which were included in the analysis. The survey showed that the COPD-related knowledge level was significantly associated with the educational level of primary care physicians(χ2=9.91, P<0.05); and the Pearson correlation analysis showed that the knowledge level was positively correlated with educational level( r=0.09, P<0.05). In terms of risk factors, causes of acute exacerbations, and treatment and management of COPD, there was a linear relationship between the education level and knowledge level(χ2=13.86, P<0.001;χ2=20.93, P<0.001); the Pearson correlation analysis showed that the knowledge level was correlated with higher educational level( r=0.11, P<0.001; r=0.13, P<0.001). In terms of symptoms and diagnosis, there was no correlation between educational level and awareness level(χ2=1.90, P=0.168). Logistic regression model showed that compared to doctors aged 20-30, those aged 31-40 had a higher COPD-related knowledge level( OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.16-4.30, P=0.016); compare to the doctors with associate degree, doctors with bachelor degree or above had a higher COPD-related knowledge( OR=1.71, 95% CI1.24-2.37, P=0.001); compared to doctors without professional title, those with primary or middle-rank professional title had a higher knowledge level( OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.28-2.13, P<0.001; OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.46-3.16, P<0.001); compared to doctors with training time<3, those with training time ≥3 had a higher knowledge level( OR=1.15, 95% CI 1.21-2.61, P=0.021). Conclusion:The COPD-related knowledge levels(especially in knowledge of risk factors and causes of acute exacerbations, and treatment and management of COPD) among doctors in primary care are affected by age, educational background, professional title, and the number of training sessions.