TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of General Practitioners (GPs) in the City of Ouagadougou Concerning the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Obese Women
AUTHORS:
Sibraogo Kiemtore, Issa Ouedraogo, Yobi Alexis Sawadogo, Adama Ouattara
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, Obesity, Sexual and Reproductive Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.14 No.12,
December
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Obesity is an increasingly common problem, and general practitioners need to be involved in its management. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methodology: The cross-sectional survey was carried out between September 16 and October 15, 2024, involving general practitioners registered with the Medical Council. A structured questionnaire, previously tested, was sent by email and re-sent to maximize participation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Of 424 physicians contacted, 121 participated. The vast majority (97.5%) of doctors recognized the influence of obesity on women’s sexual and reproductive health, with 89.3% identifying potential disorders. However, only 28.1% actively sought to detect these disorders in their patients. Surprisingly, 96.6% of doctors referred their patients to specialists for sexual problems, mainly gynecologists. What’s more, only 30.6% broach the subject of contraception. Reasons for this reluctance include the taboo nature of the subject and the lack of comfort in discussing it. Conclusion: The study reveals a good knowledge of the impact of obesity on sexual health, but there is a reluctance on the part of GPs to broach these subjects in consultation. Targeted training is essential to improve communication between doctors and obese patients.