Volume : 12, Issue : 09, September – 2025
Title:
PEDIATRICIANS’ KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING CORTICOSTEROID USE IN THE WESTERN REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA
Authors :
Wardah Alharthi, Hind Alhumayani, Hanaa Alrbeeai, Doaa Alhumayani, Khaled Althobaiti, Muneer Aljumaie
Abstract :
Introduction: Corticosteroids are potent medications widely used to treat various inflammatory, allergic, immunologic, and malignant conditions. Physicians must be aware of the diverse local and systemic side effects of corticosteroids, which may result from misuse or unrestricted availability. Therefore, this study aimed to assess pediatricians’ knowledge and practices regarding corticosteroid use in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the city of Taif.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 165 pediatricians practicing in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, particularly the city of Taif, who were recruited using a convenient sampling method. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics (version 25.0). Regarding descriptive statistics, categorical variables are presented as frequencies (n) and percentages (%), and numerical variables are presented as means ± standard deviations. Regarding inferential statistics, the variables were compared between groups using independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: This study included 165 participants. Two-thirds of the participants (n = 112, 67.9%) worked in Taif, and one-third (n = 53, 32.1%) worked outside Taif. Regarding the frequency of prescribing corticosteroids in the past year, 50 participants (30.3%) prescribed them for fewer than 10% of all patients. The mean knowledge score regarding corticosteroid use was 3.6 ± 1.9. Knowledge level regarding corticosteroid use was significantly associated with age, years of practice, subspecialty, and board certification status.
Conclusions: This study revealed a gap in pediatricians’ knowledge regarding corticosteroid use. Further research is needed to generate more evidence-based data. We recommend well-structured educational programs to enhance knowledge and improve clinical practice regarding corticosteroid use among pediatricians.
Keywords: Saudi Arabia, practices, knowledge, pediatricians, corticosteroids
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Wardah Alharthi et al., Pediatricians’ Knowledge And Practices Regarding Corticosteroid Use In The Western Region Of Saudi Arabia, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(09).
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