Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is influenced by modifiable, non-genetic exposures. We evaluated public knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to these risk factors in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey [October-December 2025] of adults (N = 480) using a validated Arabic questionnaire. Knowledge was scored (1 = correct, 0 = incorrect/“I don’t know”) and expressed as a percentage; attitudes were rated on a 3-point scale. Group differences were tested with χ²/t-tests/Analysis of variance (α= 0.05).
Results: Mean knowledge was 61.08% (7.33/12). Awareness was highest for maternal smoking (86%), alcohol (85%), radiation (79%), medication safety (75%), and diabetes (63%); lower for environmental pollutants (63%), poor nutrition (52%), infections (50%), obesity/excessive gestational weight (47%), and maternal age >35 years (43%). Attitudes toward prevention were favorable (mean 2.87 ± 0.42), with the strongest endorsement for follow-up of gestational diabetes and avoiding secondhand smoke. The internet (67.4%) and clinicians (61.2%) were the principal information sources. Knowledge differed by occupation (F = 4.218, p = 0.002; students > unemployed; health-sector > unemployed and employed outside health-sector) and monthly income (F = 2.877, p = 0.036; 5,000-9,900 SAR >

Key words: Public knowledge, risk factors, congenital heart disease, heart disease.