Assessment of the Knowledge of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease among the Saudi Population of Altaif City

Background: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ranks as one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Up to this date, no studies examined the level of health knowledge of Saudi population about GERD. Aim of the study: this study aimedto assess knowledge about GERD signs, symptoms and risk factors in Saudi residents of Altaif City. Methods: this minimal knowledge questionnaire that was distributed among the general public in Altaif City, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: section 1 included personal data and section 2 explored the awareness and knowledge about the most common symptoms and risk factors of GERD. Only questionnaires without missing data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: respondents who answered all the questions correctly represented 7.4%, while those who answered all wrongly were 1.5%. The mean proportion of minimal medical knowledge (MMK) score was 64.66%. Respondents with higher education (p < 0.001), medical background (p = 0.004) and health knowledge derived from books (p = 0.001) achieved the highest total scores. Sex, residence, marital status, and past/family history of GERD seemed not to affect the mean MMK scores (p = 0.277, 0.234, 0.970, 0.873 and 0.085 respectively). Conclusion: some symptoms (Globus sensation, dysphagia and odynophagia) and risk factors (Scleroderma and asthma) for GERD remained unknown to nearly half the participants. We recommend providing health information concerning GERD on the Internet or to prepare booklets to be distributed through the health care facilities.