Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the degree of knowledge and attitude that both health education students and the general public had about total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from participants using an electronic pre-structured questionnaire. The researchers developed the questionnaire with the help of field experts and after an intensive literature review. The tool was reviewed using a panel of 3 experts for validation and applicability. Reliability was assessed using a pilot study of 25 participants with a reliability coefficient (α- Cronbach’s) of 0.81 for the awareness and knowledge section. The questionnaire included the following data: socio-demographic data like age, gender, and education, and then awareness and attitude questions.
Results: Males showed higher awareness of total knee arthroplasty, with 77.3% reporting they had heard of TKA compared to 70.7% of females, and this difference was significant (p-value=0.011). Recognition of signs and symptoms related to the need for TKA was similar between genders, with 50.2% of males and 46.0% of females answering “Yes,” and the difference was not significant (p-value=0.114).
Conclusion: These findings can be used to inform the orthopedic curriculum's current and future development, with a greater focus on training that would improve patient care. Further, orthopedic physicians should focus on educational initiatives and interventions that raise people's awareness of TKA and assist them in understanding their concerns.

Key words: Knowledge, attitude, total knee arthroplasty, medical students, general population, Saudi Arabia.