Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Barriers Regarding Prediabetes Among Adults in Saudi Arabia

Background Prediabetes refers to a clinical condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated but do not meet the threshold for diabetes. Prediabetes is now thought to be reversible; lifestyle changes and other interventions can be successfully implemented during the prediabetes phase to avoid the development of type 2 diabetes. This study aims to improve health outcomes among Saudi community members who are at risk of developing prediabetes by assessing their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers using a validated prediabetes questionnaire. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design across various regions of Saudi Arabia. It included patients who were all non-diabetic Saudi adults over 18 years old and visited outpatient clinics. Structured questionnaires, which included participants' demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to prediabetes, were employed. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) software program. Results Data from 641 patients were collected in this survey. The respondents were predominantly female (330, 51.5%), with the mean ± SD of age being 36.3 ± 12.3. The participant knowledge levels of prediabetes were found to be good (399, 62.2%), moderate (193, 30.1%), and poor (49, 7.6%). The knowledge scores were significantly associated with age (P = 0.027), educational level (P < 0.001), education in the medical field (P = 0.019), and monthly family income (P = 0.009). The overall attitude of the participants toward prediabetes was generally positive (468, 73%). The practices related to diet and lifestyle among the participants were generally poor (538, 84%). Some participants did not take blood sugar tests because they were not available (121, 18.9%), lacked time (179, 27.9%), and were afraid of learning the test results (130, 20.3%). Conclusion The study found that, despite possessing an adequate level of knowledge and positive attitudes, Saudi patients poorly practice prevention methods for prediabetes. It highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve prediabetes awareness, promote healthier lifestyles, and address screening barriers. Prioritizing evidence-based strategies that cater to diverse demographic needs can prevent the progression of type 2 diabetes and enhance public health. The findings emphasize the importance of health education in Saudi Arabia and suggest that future research should focus on overcoming barriers, such as management complexity, diagnosis apprehension, and time constraints for check-ups.