Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitude related to myasthenia gravis (MG) among the general population in the Makkah region and to examine their associations with socio demographic factors and health-seeking behaviors.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2025 and involved adults aged > 18 years residing in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured and validated online questionnaire, which was distributed via social media platforms to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitude related to MG.
Results: The study included 454 participants. Most were female (62.8%), aged 18–29 years (46.3%), and had a bachelor’s degree (68.3%). Overall, 64.5% had good knowledge of MG, while 35.5% had poor knowledge. Higher awareness was significantly associated with age (p-value = 0.001), gender (p-value = 0.001), marital status (p-value = 0.003), and educational level (p-value = 0.003). The main sources of information were physicians (80.4%), internet websites (66.3%), and social media (54.6%). Notably, 78.9% of participants incorrectly believed that MG is completely curable, which was a major misconception, despite awareness levels generally being positive. Participants with good knowledge were more likely to visit a doctor if they experienced MG symptoms (p-value = 0.049).
Conclusion: Most participants in the Makkah region demonstrated moderate awareness and a positive attitude related to MG, but there were important misconceptions about the curability and treatment of the disease. Providing community education and disseminating accurate information through healthcare professionals and trusted media sources are essential for improving awareness and promoting timely medical consultation.

Key words: Awareness, myasthenia gravis, general population, attitude, Makkah, Saudi Arabia