Disparities in prediabetes knowledge, beliefs, barriers, and practices among physicians
Keywords:
knowledge, Peru, prediabetes, prevention, Keywords: peripheral vascular trauma, family physicians, primary care, family medicine, level of knowledge.Abstract
Introduction: Prediabetes affects 7.5% of the world's population and 22.4% of Peruvians over 25 years of age. However, 90% of people with prediabetes are unaware of their condition, which underscores the importance of the role of physicians in its detection and management.
Objective: To determine and compare the knowledge, beliefs, barriers, and practices about prediabetes in physicians at different levels of care in Peru.
Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study using a virtual survey of 1,225 Peruvian physicians from July to November 2022. Knowledge, practices, and attitudes about prediabetes were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed comparing levels of care.
Results: Significant differences in knowledge were observed between levels of care, with better performance in levels II/III in identifying risk factors and diagnostic criteria (p< 0.001). There were no significant differences in initial management, but there were differences in the frequency of follow-up and use of metformin (p< 0.001). Level I physicians reported fewer barriers to lifestyle modification and metformin use (p< 0.001).
Conclusions: The differences observed suggest the need for standardized training programs and improved communication between levels of care. The lower perception of barriers at level I could indicate an optimistic view or less awareness of the challenges in implementing interventions. Strategies are needed to improve the detection and management of prediabetes at all levels of care.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Joan A. Loayza Castro, Fiorella E. Zuzunaga-Montoya, Luisa Erika Milagros Vásquez-Romero, Víctor Juan Vera-Ponce
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