Abstract

Background: Alopecia is a common dermatological condition with significant psychological and social consequences. Despite the availability of effective treatment options, public knowledge and awareness regarding hair loss and its management remain variable. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices, and treatment awareness related to alopecia among the general population of Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults residing in Jazan using a structured self-administered questionnaire distributed online. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, treatment awareness, healthcare-seeking practices, and information sources were collected. Knowledge, attitude, and awareness scores were calculated and analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests.
Results: A total of 585 participants were included (mean age: 30.2 ± 10.7 years; 61.2% male). Adequate knowledge was observed in 47.5% of participants, while only 27.5% demonstrated adequate treatment awareness. Attitudes toward alopecia management were generally positive, with 90.8% meeting the adequacy threshold. Hair transplantation was the most recognized treatment modality (70.9%), whereas awareness of Minoxidil (41.4%) and Finasteride (26.5%) was substantially lower. A history of hair loss was reported by 63.2% of participants; however, 60.3% of affected individuals had never consulted a physician. Internet and social media were the primary information sources (39.7%), while physicians accounted for 22.9%. Female participants demonstrated significantly higher knowledge, attitude, and awareness scores than males (all p < 0.001), and urban residents similarly showed higher scores across all domains.
Conclusion: Our study shows important gaps exist in public knowledge, treatment awareness, and healthcare-seeking practices related to alopecia in Jazan. Targeted educational initiatives, particularly through professionally supervised digital platforms and community-based awareness campaigns, may help improve understanding of alopecia and encourage appropriate utilization of dermatological services.

Key words: Keywords: Alopecia; Hair loss; Knowledge; Attitudes; Practices; Awareness; Treatment awareness; Jazan; Saudi Arabia.