Family physicians’ perceptions about their practice in infertility management at primary care centers, PSMMC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2020

Abstract

Background: Later childbearing trend is seen worldwide. Primary health care physicians are at the heart of all issues relating to infertility, and they continue to be the first line of contact with couples struggling to conceive. We conducted this study aiming to assess family physicians perceptions about their practice in infertility management at primary care centers, PSMMC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2020. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study among family physicians working at PSMMC health care centers. Data was collected using a questionnaire that has been developed and validated by the study authors. It was self-administered, to 165 family physicians working at PSMM primary care centers. The questionnaire consisted of 5 sections: the socio-demographic data, exposure to infertility cases, perception about Practice in the evaluation of an infertile couple, perception about Practice in the treatment of an infertile couple, and the perception about practice in the diagnosis and referral of an infertile couple. Results: A total of 150 family physicians participated in the study, the vast majority (94%) has previously dealt with infertile couples, and 87.3% reported starting to investigate newly married couple with a minimum of at least one year after marriage. More than three-quarters of the participants were either strongly agree or agree (33.3%, and 48.7%, respectively) that they feel comfortable initiating the diagnostic evaluation of patients that present with infertility. Semen analysis was the first step in the evaluation of infertile couples by 51.3%, but 42% reported that they start with both semen analysis and blood work for females. Only 12% of the participants performed ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate. The highest frequent causes of referral were either infertility >2 years among subjects aged <35, or those aged>35 years with infertility of>1 year at 57.3%, and 56.7%, respectively Conclusion: family physicians participated in the current study showed Positive attitude, perception, and practice in infertility management. However, still there is a need for evidence-based training regarding infertility management to improve family physicians' practice and management of infertility.