Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic gastrointestinal condition with a rising prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Public awareness and understanding of IBD remain limited, potentially affecting early recognition, timely management, and disease outcomes. This study aimed to assess the levels of awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of IBD among residents of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, targeting adults aged ≥18 years who had resided in Al-Ahsa for at least six months. Participants (n = 421) were recruited via social media platforms and completed a validated, self-administered Arabic questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, and knowledge of IBD. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression to examine associations between demographics and IBD awareness.
Results: Overall awareness of CD and UC was low, with 53.4% of participants reporting they had never heard of CD and 16%-28% unaware of UC. Females, younger participants (20-30 years), students, and healthcare workers demonstrated significantly higher awareness levels (p < 0.05). Common misconceptions included confusing IBD with irritable bowel syndrome and uncertainty regarding the affected organs and treatment options. Occupational status, age, and gender were the strongest predictors of awareness.
Conclusion: The study highlights a substantial gap in public knowledge of IBD in Al-Ahsa, particularly among non-healthcare populations. Targeted educational interventions and awareness campaigns are urgently needed to improve health literacy, facilitate early recognition, and support timely medical care. These findings provide a foundation for future public health strategies aimed at enhancing community understanding of IBD.

Key words: Awareness, Knowledge,Perceptions, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s disease,ulcerative colitis