OBJECTIVE: To report the extent of knowledge of pediatricians in São Paulo concerning the Guidelines. METHODS: At pediatric events or hospitals, pediatricians were given a questionnaire about the time of training, work, dedication in the area of pediatrics, and academic performance for reply to multiple choice questions with information drawn from the Guidelines. The Chi -square and the Chi -square of linear trend tests were chosen for statistical calculations. RESULTS: Among 370 pediatricians surveyed, 65.7% had no previous knowledge of the Guidelines. The cut-off for the hits was > or = 70% (> or = 5 correct replies). Only 136 pediatricians (36.7%) reached the cut-off and no gender differences were found in knowledge (p = 0.25). Among 187 professionals involved in academic activities, 45 (24%) hit the cut-off and about 183 participants from non-academic activities, 23 (12.7%) reached > or = 5 hit points (p <0.001). Pediatricians in the public sector had better knowledge about preventive measures for atherosclerosis risk factors (46.1%, p = 0.01). Awareness of the Guidelines was independent from training time. CONCLUSION: The majority of pediatricians in the city of São Paulo were not familiar with the Guidelines for Prevention of Atherosclerosis in Childhood and Adolescence and individual strategies were rarely found. Medical education and adequate disclosure of the Guidelines are necessary for active control of populational risk factors.
OBJECTIVE: To report the extent of knowledge of pediatricians in São Paulo concerning the Guidelines. METHODS: At pediatric events or hospitals, pediatricians were given a questionnaire about the time of training, work, dedication in the area of pediatrics, and academic performance for reply to multiple choice questions with information drawn from the Guidelines. The Chi -square and the Chi -square of linear trend tests were chosen for statistical calculations. RESULTS: Among 370 pediatricians surveyed, 65.7% had no previous knowledge of the Guidelines. The cut-off for the hits was > or = 70% (> or = 5 correct replies). Only 136 pediatricians (36.7%) reached the cut-off and no gender differences were found in knowledge (p = 0.25). Among 187 professionals involved in academic activities, 45 (24%) hit the cut-off and about 183 participants from non-academic activities, 23 (12.7%) reached > or = 5 hit points (p <0.001). Pediatricians in the public sector had better knowledge about preventive measures for atherosclerosis risk factors (46.1%, p = 0.01). Awareness of the Guidelines was independent from training time. CONCLUSION: The majority of pediatricians in the city of São Paulo were not familiar with the Guidelines for Prevention of Atherosclerosis in Childhood and Adolescence and individual strategies were rarely found. Medical education and adequate disclosure of the Guidelines are necessary for active control of populational risk factors.