PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS KNOWLEDGE OF AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE IN EASTERN SAUDI-ARABIA

Reports on private practitioners' knowledge and attitude towards prima ry health care (PHC) are few; there are none from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Objectives and Methods: A questionnaire was used in a c ross-sectional study in KSA and factors which influenced knowledge and attitude were examined. Results: Of the 281 practitioners targeted, 2 68 (95%) were reached. The sample contained a fairly equal distributio n of specialities. However, by nationality, they were predominantly Eg yptians (54%) and Indians (21%); only 10% were Saudis. Conclusions: Th e results showed deficient knowledge of and negative attitude towards PHC among responders. Previous training in PHC emerged as the single m ost important beneficial factor. More Saudis should be encouraged into PHC which should be stressed in the undergraduate curriculum. Private practitioners require regular updating in the field.