Survey of nutrition knowledge of physicians in Kuwait

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether nutrition knowledge differs between male and female physicians working in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Design: The study employed a cross-sectional analysis of physician's nutrition knowledge by using a sixteen-item multiple-choice questionnaire. Setting: Governmental hospitals in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Subjects: One hundred Kuwaiti physicians (fifty males; fifty females) working in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Results: A response rate of 73 % was achieved (forty males; thirty-three females). The mean percentage of correctly answered questions was 60 %. The male and female physicians averaged 56 % and 65 % of correct responses, respectively (P 5 0?042). However, only for two questions did male and female physicians' scores differ significantly (P , 0?05). The two age groups (,40 years; $40 years) had equal mean total correct scores (60 %, P 5 0?935). Physicians' knowledge was greatest for topics that have received a great deal of media coverage in Kuwait. Most (70 %) of the physicians described their nutrition knowledge as 'moderate'. Conclusions: Physicians in Kuwait gave inaccurate information regarding common problems in Kuwaitis such as obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis. In view of the public's perception of the role of the physician in providing nutrition advice, it is imperative that nutrition and diet training be part of continuing medical education to bridge these deficiencies in physicians' knowledge.

Perceived barriers to weight maintenance among university students in Kuwait: the role of gender and obesity

“…In Kuwait, it was reported that physicians provided inaccurate nutrition information related to common health problems such as obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis. It has been suggested that a nutrition course should be introduced into medical education at universities, as well as refreshment training courses for physicians [21]. Given the lack of nutrition information among university students and physicians, there is a need to implement educational nutrition programmes in Kuwait and other Arab countries, either through the mass media or school and university curricula.…”

Development & Validation of Knowledge regarding diet & nutrition scale- Kuwaiti version

“…The development of the questionnaire was done in a multiphasic process. In the first phase, a thorough review of the literature was conducted to identify the questionnaires and modalities that have been used in the Middle East [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The items in these questionnaires were then checked for their suitability and adaption by an experienced dietician and a public health researcher (NS & AW) inclusion in the Kuwaiti Diet & Nutrition Scale.…”

“…Therefore, it is crucial for medical professionals to have an adequate level of nutrition in order to improve patient outcomes [4]. Unfortunately, several investigations have shown poor knowledge of nutrition among medical professionals, partly owing to their deficient education during preclinical and clinical training [5][6][7]. It is, therefore, imperative that nutrition knowledge of practicing medical professionals be assessed to overcome gaps in knowledge and improve patient care [8].…”

Development and validation of Attitude Toward Nutrition Counselling Questionnaire for use among Kuwaiti healthcare professionals

“…The development of the questionnaire was done in a multiphasic process. In the first phase, a thorough review of the literature was conducted to identify the questionnaires and modalities that have been used in the Middle East [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The items in these questionnaires were then checked for their suitability and adaptation by an experienced dietician and a public health researcher (NS & AW) inclusion in the ATNQ.…”

“…Therefore, it is crucial for medical professionals to have an adequate knowledge of nutrition in order to improve patient outcomes [4]. Unfortunately, several investigations have shown poor knowledge of nutrition among medical professionals, partly owing to their deficient education during preclinical and clinical training [5][6][7]. It is, therefore, imperative that nutrition knowledge of practicing medical professionals be assessed to overcome gaps in knowledge and improve patient care [8].…”