Abdullah Al-Sawat¹, Suhaib A Shaikh², Alaa A Alkaki², Rewaa A Alkaki³, Faisal F Bin Ojayban⁴, Imtenan A Oberi⁵, Mohamed Alqazenli^2
1Assistant Professor of surgery and consultant general surgery and colorectal, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
²Medical Student, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
³Medical Student, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
⁴Medical Student, Almaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
⁵Medical Student, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 133-141 | December 2024-|-https://doi.org/10.54940/ms51060230-|-PDF
Received:-11/8/2024-|-Received:-4/11/2024-|-Accepted:-23/11/2024
*Corresponding Author: rewaa.alkaaki@gmail.com

Abstract
Background:-Hernia is defined as the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abdominal muscle's ordinary opening, and the prevalence of hernias in Saudi Arabia is rising. The objective is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of abdominal hernias among the general population of Saudi Arabia.
Methods:-A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based methodology was used in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, from October 1 to May 31, 2023, with a minimum sample size of 385. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The study involved 482 male and female participants aged 18-65. Individuals who had hernias and their relatives were excluded. A structured questionnaire was developed after consulting relevant studies conducted in Saudi Arabia and translated into Arabic. Data collectors used Google Forms to gather information from Jeddah's citizens through social media.
Results:-Awareness varied among participants: 73.9% correctly associated hernias with carrying heavy weights, while only 4.6% knew that hernias could be hereditary. Additionally, 38.4% identified direct injury as a cause of hernias, and 55.2% mentioned that excess weight can lead to hernias. Knowledge levels varied significantly by age and education. Participants aged 18-25 had a median score of 14.0 (IQR: 10.0-18.0), significantly higher than other age groups (p = 0.011). Elementary education exhibited a median score of 21.0 (IQR: 21.0-21.0), higher than those with other educational backgrounds (p = 0.012).
Conclusion:-While some participants demonstrated a good understanding of hernia risk factors and etiology, notable misconceptions and gaps in knowledge persist. These findings highlight the importance of targeted educational initiatives to improve public awareness of hernias.

Keywords
Hernia, Abdominal, Knowledge, awareness, risk factors, etiology, Jeddah.

How to Cite
Al-Sawat, A., Shaikh, S. A., Alkaki, A. A., Alkaki, R. A., Bin Ojayban, F. F., Oberi, I. A., & Alqazenli, M. (2024). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Abdominal Wall Hernias among Saudi Population in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia,-Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Medical Sciences, 10(2), 133-141.-https://doi.org/10.54940/ms51060230

License
1658-4740/© 2024-by the Authors. Published by-J. Umm Al-Qura Univ. Med. Sci.-This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the-https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/-