Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS PSORIASIS AMONG ADULT SAUDI POPULATION IN MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH, SAUDI ARABIA 2017

Dr. Shatha Sameer Alam*, Hatem A. Mesbah and Dr. Sultan Sameer Alam

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the awareness and knowledge about Psoriasis in Makkah Al-mukarramah among Saudi adult population. Subjects and methods: It is a Cross-sectional descriptive study among the adult Saudi population in Makkah Al-mukarramah male and female above age 20 years. A sample of 2000 participants was included, 850 males (42.5 %) and 1150 females (57.5%). The tool of the study was a self-administered questionnaire, which consists of two parts: First part included questions about demographic characteristics, second part consisted of twenty five statements pertaining to knowledge related to basic facts on psoriasis, triggering factors, treatment aspects and knowledge related to disease process. Result: The study included 2000 participants. Slightly more than half of them (57.5%) were females and majority of them (40.2%) in the age group 20-30 years. Majority of 1159 (57.9%) subjects were aware of the fact that psoriasis is not contagious, only 50.1% of the subjects knew the fact that the disease is not curable and 900 (45%) subjects did not know about psoriatic arthritis. 805 (40.2%) of the subjects were aware that stress aggravates the disease. Majority, 1263 (63.1%) of them were aware of nail psoriasis. 44% of subjects were aware that moisturizers are important to prevent dryness of the skin. 600 (30%) subjects did not know about phototherapy. Conclusion: Thought the general level of knowledge of participants about psoriasis was good, they had number of misconception about it.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, psoriasis, Makkah Al-mukarramah.