Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on the Management of Helicobacter pylori–Induced Gastric Ulcers in Pakistan: A Questionnaire-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey

Background/Objectives: In South Asia, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections may be as high as 60–80%, constituting a notable public health issue, with eradication strategies critical in reducing the H. pylori-associated disease burden. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding the screening, treatment, and follow-up of H. pylori-induced gastric ulcers among physicians in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A self-administered, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study—including the development and validity assessment of a 24-item questionnaire—was carried out in two tertiary-care hospitals between January and May 2024. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, χ2-tests, binary logistic regression, and 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) were carried out using IBM SPSS 27.0. The study adheres to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: Among N = 385 participants, 57.9% were male, 60.0% were aged between 25 and 34 years, 59.5% worked in a public hospital, and 55.3% had <5 years of working experience. Of them, 32.9% had noted medical journals, while 27.0% reported online educational materials as their key sources of evidence-based information. Although 91.2% and 87.3% of physicians had good knowledge and attitude levels (≥50% score) pertaining to H. pylori-associated gastric ulcers, respectively. Participants aged 25–34 years (aOR: 0.217 [95% CI: 0.08–0.589]), who have <5 years of working experience (aOR: 0.328 [95% CI: 0.136–0.790]) and those working in public hospitals (aOR: 0.130 [95% CI: 0.048–0.352]) were less likely to show poor attitudes. Furthermore, 76.5% made it a routine to discuss the risk factors of H. pylori-induced ulcers with their patients, while 67.4% highlighted the importance of follow-up testing to confirm the eradication of H. pylori. Conclusions: Inconsistent and empirical treatment approaches, lack of routine screening, and inadequate follow-up practices may further compromise eradication efforts and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeted educational programs to address knowledge gaps, standardize practices, and enhance the appropriate management of H. pylori-induced gastric ulcers in Pakistan.