Survey of Awareness of Thyroid Disorders among the Riyadh Population, Central Region of Saudi Arabia

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Survey of Awareness of Thyroid Disorders among the Riyadh Population, Central Region of Saudi Arabia

Journal Title: The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine - Year 2018, Vol 72, Issue 2

Abstract

Background: Thyroid diseases are among the commonest endocrine disorders worldwide and attention to physical examination findings, combined with selected laboratory and radiologic tools and aids in the early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid endocrine disorders is fundamental. Health education is considered an essential component to improve knowledge and change behavior. People affected by thyroid diseases often have inadequate knowledge about the nature of thyroid diseases, its risk factors and associated complication. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of the Riyadh population with various aspects of thyroid diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2018 in Riyadh city. A random, representative sample from Saudi nationals were included. Those who are under 18 years old were excluded. Systematic random sampling technique was followed. An online well constructed questionnaire translated into Arabic was disseminated and self administered by each participant. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics. Results: The total number of participants was 870 among which 297 (34.1%) were males and 573 (65.9%) were females. The participants were classified into 4 age groups, most of them were in the 31-50 years old group, counting 492 (56.5%). Only 6.6% among the participants did not know what the thyroid gland is, while 93.4% have chosen specific answers that are facts regarding the thyroid on different levels of knowledge. Among participants, 17% related thyroid disorders to disturbances in the menstrual cycle, recurrent miscarriage, and birth of dead fetuses, while 30.3% related that to psychological factors as depression, confusion, lack of concentration, mood swings, and anxiety, 27.4% to neck and joint pain with fatigue and weight loss, and 25.3% constipation and/or diarrhea, voice changes and swelling of the neck. Among our participants, 16.8% reported suffering from hypothyroidism. Regarding hypothyroidism, 30.9% answered yes to the question regarding whether or not ionized salt has a role in the treatment of hypothyroidism, when 22.2% responded with ‘No’ and the majority (46.9%) responded ‘I do not know’. The majority (39.0%) answered ‘Yes’ to whether the treatment can be stopped when investigations become normal in hypothyroidism, and (43.6%) answered ‘I do not know,’ in hyperthyroidism. Moreover, 26.6% thought that herbal remedy can cure hypothyroidism as well as (26.0%) in hyperthyroidism. Conclusion: This study recommended that health policy makers must conduct more effective health education sessions to increase knowledge of the population and their caregivers about various aspects of thyroid diseases and the importance of compliance with its treatment.

Authors and Affiliations

Eman Helal

Keywords

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EP ID EP584080
DOI 10.21608/ejhm.2018.9095
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