Primary healthcare knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the personnel of a secondary hospital in Acapulco, Mexico

Background

The Health Institute for Well-being (INSABI) in Mexico offers an online course on Primary Health Care (PHC) that contributes to the implementation of the Model of Health Care for Well-Being (MAS-Bienestar). This study, conducted in a general hospital in the highly populated area of Acapulco in the state of Guerrero on the southwestern coast of Mexico, provides a unique perspective on PHC implementation.

Objetive

To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding PHC in the healthcare personnel of a secondary hospital in Mexico.

Materials and methods

A self-administered KAP questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional study involving 200 health-care workers at the Hospital General Renacimiento.

Results

The mean knowledge score was 6.58 (SD = 1.7), and 59 % of participants (n = 117) had a score above the mean, while the mean practice score was 5.96 (SD = 1.38) and 34 % of the participants (n = 68) were above the mean. The final multiple linear regression model showed that time working in the hospital and having previously been trained in PHC were significant factors for knowledge. At the same time, gender was substantial for practices, with females scoring significantly lower on this dimension. After attitude was dichotomized into positive and negative, a binary logistic regression model showed that positive attitudes were associated with taking the PHC course.

Conclusions

While most of the participants had positive KAP to PHC, there was a general notion that PHC only involved healthcare workers at the first level. Training in PHC is essential to improving the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare personnel.