Primary Health Care an Important Health Initiative- Awareness of Medical Students from Karachi-Pakistan

Objective: To assess and compare the awareness on Primary Health Care amongst medical students from different academic years of medical universities in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: The primary health care (PHC) system in Pakistan is not well developed yet, with lack of access to basic health services and a shortage of primary care physicians. Evaluating the awareness medical students from different years of study have about PHC and whether that influences their career decision-making (medical specialty choices) is important to assess the current state of PHC and predict its future in Pakistan. Hence this study aims to analyze awareness about PHC amongst medical students from different academic years of medical universities.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted amongst medical students from different academic years of Karachi, Pakistan. Sample size of 400 medical students was calculated by WHO (World Health Organization) sample size estimation calculator and 25% medical students from each year were obtained by non probability quota sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis.

Results: Total 400 medical students from different academic years responded in this study with mean score obtained by them is 15.0 ± 2.67. On the basis of mean score obtained by students, the data is dichotomized into two groups i.e. average and above (score > 15) and below average (score <15). Most of the medical students from 1st to 4th year of MBBS showed average or above average awareness about PHC. Statistically significant differences were seen in the awareness about some aspects of PHC among 1st and 4th year medical students.

Conclusion: This study highlights key features on the differences in students’ awareness about concept of primary health care throughout their medical study. It also identifies challenges related to medical students’ level of understanding of the functioning of primary health care system.