Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to find out what Saudi people thought about tonsillectomy and how it might affect their immune system.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered electronic questionnaire sent out on social media sites in Saudi Arabia. Simple random sampling was used to choose the sample, and Saudi residents aged 18–80 years were included as eligibility criteria. The survey gathered socio-demographic information, evaluated participants’ knowledge of tonsillectomy and its effects on the immune system, and assessed their own experiences with the surgery.
Results: Out of 404 participants, most (50.2%) thought tonsillectomy strongly affects the immune system. While 36.4% were unsure if there was a link between tonsillectomy and autoimmune disorders, a sizable fraction (38.4%) believed there was. Among the 30.7% of participants who had undergone tonsillectomy, 25.0% said they had better health results. Eastern Region participants exhibited the greatest degree of understanding of tonsillectomy; a notable link was seen between participants’ knowledge and their personal experience with the surgery.
Conclusion: The research showed that although many individuals thought tonsillectomy affects immunological function, there was a significant knowledge gap, especially with respect to tonsillectomy’s link to autoimmune disorders. The results highlighted the need for focused health education programs to raise public knowledge of the tonsils’ function in immunity, as well as the possible consequences of tonsillectomy. The study also revealed regional differences in knowledge, pointing to the requirement of region-specific initiatives to improve health literacy all around Saudi Arabia.

Key words: Tonsillectomy, immune system, autoimmune diseases, public awareness, Saudi Arabia.