Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Primary Care Physicians Toward Common Skin Diseases in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional...

Background Dermatological conditions are among the most common causes of global health consultations, ranking as the fourth leading cause of non-fatal disease burden. In Sudan, primary healthcare physicians serve as the first point of contact for patients with skin diseases. Given their vital role, this study aimed to assess primary healthcare physicians' knowledge, management, and clinical practices regarding common skin diseases in Sudan. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2024 across Sudan's states, which were clustered into five regions. We distributed a self-administered questionnaire to practicing primary care physicians through professional groups on social media platforms, and the sample was collected using a convenience sampling technique. The questionnaire consisted of four sections, namely, sociodemographic data, knowledge assessment (photo-based and multiple-choice questions), and attitude and practice sections. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Of the 211 targeted participants, 178 completed the questionnaire, with an 84.4% response rate, and 97 (59%) were females. The median knowledge score was 16 out of 25 (SD = ±4.7), and 99 (60.7%) showed sufficient knowledge. Most of the respondents (115, 70.6%) had three or fewer years of clinical experience, which was significantly correlated with their knowledge scores (p = 0.001). Vitiligo was the most recognized condition (153, 93.9%), while folliculitis was the least (92, 56.4%). A more positive attitude was linked to higher knowledge scores (r = 0.179, p = 0.022). Overall, 113 (64%) participants reported disease recognition as the most challenging part of their practice. Conclusions Although the majority of healthcare physicians demonstrated good knowledge, a notable proportion displayed gaps in disease management. This highlights the need for targeted training and integration of dermatology-focused modules in continuing medical education to aid in early disease recognition, reduce unnecessary referrals, and alleviate the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.