Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF WOMEN IN MAJMAAH CITY, SAUDI ARABIA ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Fawaz Alotaibi*, Rayan Alsaab, Suliman Alkhamis, Salwa AlAlwi, Anfal Aljumayan, Elsadiq Mohamed

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory and immune-mediated demyelinating disease that originates from the central nervous system. It is characterized by infiltration of immune cells, abnormal formation of myelin sheath, and the formation of multifocal plaques in the brain and spinal cord. Those diagnosed with MS are usually found to be in their most productive years of life. The disease usually starts between 20 and 40 years of age and affects women more than men. According to the Atlas of MS database, worldwide about 2.5 million people are found to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis1. Purpose: the Study is designed to evaluate the knowledge & attitude of multiple sclerosis among women in Majmaah City. Methods: The Study design will be cross-sectional to study the knowledge and attitude of women in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia about multiple sclerosis & will be conducted in Majmaah city at public places. Study population are women aged 18 years and more and whoreside in Majmaah city will be included in the study. Sampling Technique is Consecutive sampling & The data will be collected by a pre tested questionnaire. Results: The findings showed that (48.67%) of the respondents have very weak knowledge about multiple sclerosis, while (38.49%) of respondents’ knowledge is weak and (12.39%) of the respondents have an average knowledge of multiple sclerosis; while (0.29%) have a good knowledge about multiple sclerosis. The respondents who have a positive attitude about Multiple sclerosis are more than the respondents who have a negative attitude about Multiple sclerosis. Conclusion: revealed that the majority of the study participants had limited knowledge and severe weakness in the awareness level toward the multiple sclerosis disease which requires increasing the awareness level.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Knowledge, Attitude.