Differences in knowledge, attitude and behavior with respect to hypertension among cardiologists, neurologists and other physicians in internal medicine

It Is known that the knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) of physicians w ith respect to hypertension directly affect the prevention of hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases. To Investigate the differences In K AB among cardiologists, neurologists and other physicians, 1,722 potential participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Among these, 1,60 9 participants took part in the present survey, and 948 of this group were eligible for the present analysis. The data were collected using a self-adm inistrated questionnaire. Results showed that, with respect to knowledge an d attitude regarding hypertension, 15.3% of cardiologists, 15.2% of neurolo gists and 7.2% of other internals selected the correct answers to all quest ions (p<0.05). The criteria of hypertension were not correctly understood b y about two-thirds of physicians, including both cardiologists and neurolog ists. With regard to behavior, 16.5% of cardiologists, 17.9% of neurologist s and 9.6% of other internals selected the correct answers to all questions (p<0.05). A majority of physicians considered that routine blood pressure measurements were not necessary in cases uncomplicated by cardiovascular di sease and other disease, such as nephrotic disease, or diabetes mellitus. O ne-half to two-thirds of physicians did not believe that life style modific ations reduce blood pressure. For each question, cardiologists showed the h ighest, and other internals the lowest, percentage of correct responses to all items in the questionnaire. These findings indicate that cardiovascular health education must be strengthened for all physicians, and not only for specialists.