Published 2025-11-10
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the research is to determine the general population's knowledge and awareness of ankylosing spondylitis in Saudi Arabia and to determine the sociodemographic characteristics linked to higher or lower awareness levels. The study will also investigate common misunderstandings or knowledge gaps about the symptoms, causes, and therapies of AS.
Methods: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) knowledge and awareness among Saudi Arabia's general public will be evaluated through the use of a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Cost-effective and useful for large population-based surveys, this design is appropriate for capturing a moment in time of popular knowledge.
Results: The study included 350 participants. The most frequent age among them was 30-39 years old (n=106, 30.3%), followed by 18-29 years old (n=98, 28%), then 40-49 years old (n=74, 21.1%), and 50-59 years old (n=53, 15.1%). The most frequent gender among study participants was male (n=189, 54%) and female (n=161, 46%). The most frequent nationality among study participants was Saudi (n= 325, 92.9%), followed by non-Saudi (n= 25, 7.1%). Educational Qualification among study participants, with most of them were Bachelors (n=242, 69.1%), followed by High School (n=76, 21.7%), then Master's (n=32, 9.1%). Occupation among study participants, with most were employed (non-healthcare) (n=173, 49.4%), followed by Unemployed (n=56, 16%), then Employed (Healthcare) (n=49, 14%), and Student (n=40, 11.4%). Participants were asked Do you suffer from any chronic back or joint pain? Most of them answered No (n=223, 63.7%) and Yes (n=127, 36.3%). The participants were asked heard of Ankylosing Spondylitis; most of them answered No (n=291, 83.1%), and Yes (n=59, 16.9%). The diagnosis of cancer is presented in Figure 4. Participants were asked where Ankylosing Spondylitis was more common. Most of them answered I don’t know (n=187, 53.4%), followed by Women (n=71, 20.3%), then equally common (n=58, 16.6%), at least Men (n=34, 9.7%). Participants were asked Do you personally know anyone diagnosed with AS The most frequent answer No (n=315, 90%), followed by Yes - relative or colleague (n=22, 6.3%), then Me (n=13, 3.7%). Participants were asked in their opinion, how serious Ankylosing Spondylitis is as a health condition; Most of them were I don’t know (n=185, 52.9%), followed by Somewhat Serious (n=102, 29.1%), then Very Serious (n=49, 14%), and at least Not Serious (n=14, 4%).
Conclusion: The results showed statistically significant associations between knowledge about Ankylosing Spondylitis and each of age, nationality, educational qualification, occupation, and prior awareness of the disease, while no significant association was found with gender.