Public knowledge and awareness of gout among adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis associated with high levels of uric acid, affecting individuals worldwide. Understanding public awareness of gout is crucial for disease management and prevention. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of gout among adults living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to identify the sources of their information regarding the disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 2024 to July 2024. The study included 509 participants aged ≥ 18years, recruited through an online questionnaire distributed on social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, presence of chronic diseases, prior diagnosis of gout, sources of information, and knowledge about gout. Knowledge scores were categorized into "good" (≥60%) or "poor" (<60%) based on the participants' responses. Among the 509 respondents, 49.7% were aged 18 to 30 years, 75.4% were female, and 87.8% were Saudi nationals. The majority (70.3%) had a university-level education, and 28.1% were employed. Chronic diseases were reported by 16.9% of the participants, with hypertension being the most common, and 28.3% were obese. A total of 6.3% of participants reported a prior diagnosis of gout. The most common sources of information were the Internet and social media (40.5%), followed by family and friends (35.2%). Regarding knowledge, 79.8% had heard of gout, and 64% correctly identified excessive red meat consumption as a cause. Symptoms such as joint pain (67%) and joint swelling (44%) were the most commonly recognized. Preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing meat intake were reported by 60.7% of participants. The mean knowledge score was 7.78 ± 2.79, with 83.7% classified as having poor knowledge and 16.3% with good knowledge. No significant relationships were found between knowledge level and participants' demographics, sources of information, or previous diagnosis of gout (P > .05). However, participants without chronic diseases had significantly better knowledge about gout (P < .05). The study revealed a low level of knowledge about gout among adults in Jeddah, with significant gaps in understanding its causes, symptoms, and prevention. Public health interventions are necessary to improve awareness, especially in individuals with chronic diseases.