Background: Vitiligo is a crucial noncontagious depigmentation skin disease affecting from 1% to 2% of the total population worldwide and leads to the appearance of white patches of skin that visibly appear on the hand(s), face, and other visible area of the body. The psychosocial impact of Vitiligo, such as the sense of stigmatization and not being accepted in the community, can affect the treatment outcomes and the patient's overall well-being. Therefore, we intend to assess and measure the public attitude and knowledge regarding Vitiligo patients.This study aims to assess the attitude and perception toward Vitiligo among the Saudi Arabia population.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi Arabia population aged 18 years and above. An electronic self-administrated questionnaire (from December 2020 to January 2021) was distributed. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographic characteristics (gender, age, marital status, educational level, employment status, individuals working in healthcare systems, family members, or friends with Vitiligo). The questionnaire included ten questions about the public's knowledge toward Vitiligo, and seven questions regarding the residents' attitude toward Vitiligo. Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26. A p value of 0.05 and below was considered to be significant.
Results: 1,412 participants responded to the survey. As for knowledge about Vitiligo, the average score was 7.1 ± 1.3 out of 10, and for attitudes, 5.7 ± 1.2 out of 7. Less than half of the responders did not know that an immunological defect accompanies Vitiligo and that it is different from Albinism, while more than half had a negative attitude toward marrying someone with Vitiligo. Females (p-value < 0.001), age group above 36 years old (p-value < 0.001), married responders (p-value = 0.004), retired responders (p-value = 0.001), and residents of northern region (p-value = 0.004), all had higher level of knowledge compared to their peers, while positive attitudes were significantly higher among females (p-value < 0.001), and unemployed responders (p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes toward Vitiligo seem adequate and above-average level. Demographic factors can influence attitudes and knowledge toward the disease.
Key words: Vitiligo, knowledge, attitude, public, Saudi Arabia.
|
