Perception and attitude of the general population toward Alzheimer's disease in eastern region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES

To measure the awareness of AD among the general population of Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia from October to November 2023. The data was collected using an online questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 614 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. Among those surveyed, 99.3% had heard about Alzheimer's disease (AD), while 96.1% associated it with memory loss. Additionally, 91.5% recognized that individuals with AD face risks when driving, 91.5% believed they could not independently handle their financial matters, 85.7% thought they could not make health-related decisions on their own, and 85.5% believed they could still participate in sports.

CONCLUSION

The research results challenge our initial hypothesis by revealing significant AD awareness in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, largely attributed to internet-based health information. Despite this, there is a need to improve public attitudes toward Alzheimer's patients, highlighting the importance of enhanced education and better communication between healthcare professionals and the public.