Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of celiac disease (CD) and gluten-free diet (GFD) among the general population in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adults aged 18 years or older in the Madinah region, excluding healthcare practitioners. A structured questionnaire assessed participants’ demographic characteristics, awareness of celiac disease, and understanding of gluten-free diets.
Results: A total of 402 participants were included, predominantly females (75.4%) and Saudi nationals (95.8%). The largest age group was 41–50 years (30.4%), and most (69.9%) held bachelor's degrees. Only 49.7% had heard of CD, and 3.2% reported personal or family diagnoses. Awareness of disease prevalence, symptoms, and complications was limited; only six participants (1.5%) answered all CD-related knowledge questions correctly. Regarding GFD, 66.7% had heard of it, but only 49 (12.2%) demonstrated full knowledge. Females showed higher awareness than males, though no significant association was found between demographic factors and comprehensive knowledge of CD or GFD (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Public awareness of CD and GFD in the Madinah region remained low. Although partial knowledge existed, complete understanding was rare. Public health initiatives and educational campaigns are urgently required to improve disease recognition and promote appropriate dietary practices.

Key words: Celiac disease, gluten-free diet, awareness, public health, Saudi Arabia, Madinah region.