Attitudes, Prejudices and Barriers of Healthcare Professionals towards Female Patients with Obesity

ABSTRACT Objective: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted to evaluate the attitudes, prejudices, and patient care obstacles of healthcare professionals (HPs) who work in the healthcare and allied healthcare services and serve female patients with obesity in Türkiye. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study included 411 HPs who provided care to female patients in public and university hospitals in Türkiye and who volunteered to participate in this study. Data were collected online using an Information Form, GAMS-27 Obesity Prejudice Scale (GAMS-27), the Attitudes Toward Obese People Scale (ATOP), and the Questionnaire on Patient Care Obstacles for Patients with Obesity (OHBEF). Results: The mean scores of HPs on the abovementioned scales were OHBEF= 65.09±8.80, GAMS-27= 77.91±4.52, and ATOP= 59.24±0.23. The mean score of HPs on the OHBEF was related to age, mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of men, and occupational group (p0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed that HPs had prejudiced and negative attitudes toward female patients with obesity, and this was related to a lack of materials and equipment for patient care, sex, age, BMI, and occupational group.