Lactose intolerance awareness among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Lactose intolerance is a common medical condition characterized by malabsorption of lactose. Despite the considerable impact of lactose intolerance on affected persons, studies on its awareness are limited. The aim of study was to assess the awareness of lactose intolerance and its associated factors among the general population of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of lactose intolerance in the study population was also assessed.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire, which included 15 questions on lactose intolerance awareness and the risk factors for lactose intolerance, was administered. The prevalence of lactose intolerance was assessed using a validated five-question screening tool. The student's t-test and analysis of variance were used to compare quantitative variables, whereas the chi-square test was used to determine the association between qualitative variables.

A total of 2150 adult participants were included. The mean percentage of correct answers to questions regarding lactose intolerance awareness was 28.9 % (±21.9). Participants with a previous lactose intolerance diagnosis had the highest lactose intolerance knowledge scores (46.9 [±18.3]). Regarding the prevalence of lactose intolerance, 14.7 % of the participants responded that they were likely lactose intolerant, whereas 7.3 % reported that they were diagnosed with lactose intolerance by a physician. Results of the assessment performed using the screening tool, which had a sensitivity of 47 % in this study, showed that women were more likely to have lactose intolerance than men. In addition, women and younger participants had greater knowledge of lactose intolerance than men and older participants.

The Saudi Arabian population has a low awareness of lactose intolerance. The findings of this study provide valuable information regarding level of lactose intolerance awareness among the Saudi population and can be used for the development of effective programs for increasing lactose intolerance awareness in Saudi Arabia.