Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward cervical spondylosis among the healthy general population

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the healthy general population toward cervical spondylosis.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy individuals at Peking University Third Hospital between May and December 2023, utilizing a self-designed questionnaire.

A total of 506 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 276 (64.94%) were completed by females. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 4.07 ± 1.24 (range: 0-8), 35.69 ± 3.67 (range: 9-45), and 27.01 ± 4.38 (range: 9-36), respectively. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that knowledge had a direct influence on both attitudes (β = 0.589, P = 0.002) and practices (β = 0.353, P = 0.020). Furthermore, attitudes had a direct effect on practices (β = 0.442, P < 0.001).

The healthy general population demonstrated inadequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and suboptimal practices regarding cervical spondylosis. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve public awareness and foster healthier practices in managing cervical spondylosis.