Department of Internal Medicine, Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107, Lebanon.
Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107, Lebanon.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 28;19(13):7907. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19137907.
Air pollution imposes a significant burden on public health. It is emerging as a modifiable risk factor for cancer, diabetes, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Lebanese physicians regarding air pollution.
This observational study uses a descriptive cross-sectional correlational design. The data were collected using a self-administered online survey that was sent to 874 potential respondents who are members of the Lebanese Order of Physicians. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test.
The results show a deficiency in the knowledge of physicians regarding many sources of air pollution, including dust, the smell of perfume, candles, vacuum cleaners, air fresheners, electronic cigarettes, etc. The majority of physicians agree that air pollution increases the risk of several health problems. Only 38% of physicians routinely ask their patients about exposure to air pollution, and 75% of them believe that they have a role as physicians in reducing air pollution levels. Over half of the sample are confident in counseling their patients on sources of air pollution, and two thirds of them are in support of including assessment of air pollution exposure during regular medical visits.
Air pollution levels are progressively increasing over time. Given the health impact of exposure to air pollution, healthcare professionals need to stay up to date on this topic. The results of this study suggest the need for continuing education about air pollution for physicians and developing guidelines for what exactly to ask patients in assessing their exposure.
空气污染对公众健康造成了重大负担。它正成为癌症、糖尿病以及呼吸和心血管疾病的可改变风险因素。本研究旨在评估黎巴嫩医生对空气污染的知识、态度和实践。
本观察性研究采用描述性横断面相关性设计。数据是通过向 874 名可能的、身为黎巴嫩医师协会成员的应答者发送在线自填式调查问卷收集的。数据分析采用描述性统计和卡方检验。
结果显示，医生们对许多空气污染来源（包括灰尘、香水味、蜡烛、吸尘器、空气清新剂、电子烟等）的了解存在不足。大多数医生认为空气污染增加了多种健康问题的风险。只有 38%的医生经常询问患者是否接触过空气污染，其中 75%的人认为他们作为医生有责任降低空气污染水平。超过一半的样本对向患者咨询空气污染来源有信心，三分之二的人支持在常规医疗就诊中评估空气污染暴露情况。
随着时间的推移，空气污染水平呈逐渐上升趋势。鉴于接触空气污染对健康的影响，医疗保健专业人员需要及时了解这一主题。本研究结果表明，需要对医生进行有关空气污染的继续教育，并制定评估患者暴露情况时具体应询问什么的指南。
