Background: The prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 1.4%. Studies have found that most cases result from consanguine marriage; thus, SCD incidence can be drastically reduced. Therefore, increasing general population awareness about its complications is important.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and March 2020 through an online questionnaire, which was announced and distributed to the general population in Medinah city by the team members via multiple social media.
Results: Out of the 492 participants, only 408 were included in the study. More than half of the included subjects, 211 (51.7%), showed a good level of awareness regarding the complications of SCD. There was a significant correlation (p = 0.029) between age and the level of awareness in the age group between 18 and 30 years. Furthermore, another significant correlation was found amongst the medical field respondents (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The population sample in Medinah showed an acceptable level of knowledge about SCD complications. However, to further increase the awareness of the complications of the disease in the community, videos, educational visits, and community activities are among the preferred methods needed.
Key words: Awareness, complications, Medinah, Saudi Arabia, sickle cell disease
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