Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Community General Practice Teams on Dysphagia Complicated with Aspiration Pneumonia after Stroke.

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of community general practice (GP) team members on dysphagia complicated with aspiration pneumonia after stroke in Shanghai between October 2022 and November 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 551 questionnaires were collected (mean age 37.59 ± 8.86 years, 443 (80.40%) females), including 383 (69.51%) physicians. The mean KAP scores were 6.30 ± 1.54 (possible range 0-12), 40.32 ± 5.11 (possible range 9-45), and 72.54 ± 13.99 (possible range 18-90), respectively. Multivariable linear regression analyses suggested that attitude (Coef = 1.29, 95%CI 1.09-1.50), and holding research funding (Coef = -2.70, 95%CI -5.00--0.50) were significantly associated with practice toward dysphagia complicated with aspiration pneumonia after stroke of community GP team members. The structural equation model (SEM) indicated that knowledge had a direct influence on attitude (ß = 2.029, p < 0.001) and attitude had a direct impact on practice (ß = 0.710, p < 0.001). Additionally, knowledge exerted both direct (ß = 0.935, p = 0.016) and indirect effects (ß = 1.442, p < 0.001) on practice. In conclusion, this study showed that the community GP team members had poor knowledge, favorable attitudes, and proactive practices. Education and training on the management of dysphagia complicated with aspiration pneumonia after stroke are urgently needed.