Awareness About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Medical Science

© 2024 by SSRG - IJMS Journal

Volume 11 Issue 4

Year of Publication : 2024

Authors : Amany A. Ghazy, Eman Kadry Rashwan, Nouf Mohammed Alotaibi, Renad Bandar Almusib, Ranyah Ahmed Alghamdi, Wiam Nawaf Almathhur, Shahad Shati Alruwaili, Aljofool Daood Aldandani, Rana Bandar Almusib

10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V11I4P101

How to Cite?

Amany A. Ghazy, Eman Kadry Rashwan, Nouf Mohammed Alotaibi, Renad Bandar Almusib, Ranyah Ahmed Alghamdi, Wiam Nawaf Almathhur, Shahad Shati Alruwaili, Aljofool Daood Aldandani, Rana Bandar Almusib, "Awareness About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia," SSRG International Journal of Medical Science, vol. 11,  no. 4, pp. 1-5, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V11I4P101

Abstract:

Background: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a global health burden. It is responsible for nearly all liver diseases. Appropriate, coherent prevention and control strategies depend mainly on real community needs. Aim: To evaluate community knowledge about NAFLD in the Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia, as the first step in its prevention and control strategies. Method: The study is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that enrolled 305 participants who answered an online questionnaire about NAFL. Results: A great percentage did not hear about NAFL (278,91%), whether it runs in families or not (226,74%), age group at high risk (210,66%), risk factors (162,53%), stages (223,73%), symptom (146,48%), complications (162,53%) or if it is life-threatening or not (119,39%). Regarding its relationship with chronic diseases, >50% of participants agreed that low blood pressure is not a risk factor (171,56%), and diabetes has a relation with NAFLD (183,60%). More than half participants agreed that eating habits may prevent NAFL, NAFL can be diagnosed by blood tests, BMI, and imaging, and laparoscopy is the standard treatment. Conclusion: There is a diminished awareness of NAFL regarding its risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, and treatment among the population in the Al-jouf region. Health education programs are recommended.

Keywords:

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Knowledge, Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia.

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