Abstract
Context: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of metabolism diseases which includes over increase of the body weight, high insulin levels, elevated blood pressure, and abnormal level of cholesterol; these disorders may increase the risk of evolving coronary heart diseases. Primary health care physicians are responsible for caring for general patients and thus must have sufficient knowledge about MS, positive attitudes, and good medical practices. Aims: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of family medicine residents in Riyadh regarding the diagnosis, management, and preventive measures of MS. Methods and Material: This study is a cross-sectional; it was conducted on family medicine residents in Riyadh using a survey to investigate the demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the residents regarding MS. Results: This study included 224 physicians, of whom 35.3% had a high level of knowledge, 63.8% had positive attitudes, and 50% had good practices. No factors were associated with knowledge level; conversely, male gender and training at the KFMC were significantly associated with attitude (P = 0.009 and 0.004, respectively), and training level R1 and R2 were significantly related to the level of practice (P = 0.013 and 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: The family medicine residents reported a low knowledge level; however, more than half of them had positive attitudes and half had good practices.