Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), its risk factors, treatment, and complications among the Saudi Arabian population.
Methods: This cross-sectional work was carried out in April 2023 through an online questionnaire that was placed in Google Forms and was introduced to the participants through various social media platforms. It assessed the participant demographic distribution and their awareness regarding DDH, including its complications, treatments, and risk factors.
Results: A total of 751 people participated in this study, 96.80% of them were Saudis, with 44.50% of them aged between 18 and 25 years, and 52.70% of participants had heard about DDH. Regarding risk factors of DDH, 69.90% did not know that DDH is most common in females, also 58.30% did not know if a family history of DDH can contribute to new cases. The highest percentage of participants (80.00%) believed that treatment should commence as soon as possible to prevent complications of DDH if left untreated.
Conclusion: This study showed that a large portion of the population of Saudi Arabia is unfamiliar with the concept of DDH and its associated risk factors, treatment, and complications. There was a variation in the levels of awareness regarding DDH, especially in sociodemographic data and profession. This study emphasizes the need for awareness campaigns to educate about DDH.

Key words: Developmental dysplasia of the hip, awareness, risk factors, treatment, Saudi Arabia