Awareness and Knowledge of Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but rapidly progressive soft tissue infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and prompt management are critical to improving outcomes. However, awareness and understanding of the disease among the general population and even healthcare professionals remain limited. Objective This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of NF among healthcare providers and the general public in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, structured questionnaire distributed to 106 participants, including both healthcare workers and members of the public. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, general awareness, knowledge of causative organisms, symptom progression, risk factors, and attitudes toward treatment and prevention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and associations between demographic variables and knowledge levels were assessed using the chi-square test. Results A majority of participants (n = 74, 69.8%) had heard of NF, and 65 (61.3%) correctly identified bacterial infection as the primary cause. Less than half (n = 48, 45.3%) recognized group A Streptococcus as a common causative organism, and 47 (44.3%) were aware that symptoms can progress within hours. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with gender (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.009), education level (p = 0.009), and occupation (p = 0.001), with healthcare providers and postgraduate participants demonstrating higher awareness. Attitudes toward early treatment and public education were largely positive, with 75 (70.8%) emphasizing their importance. Conclusion Although basic awareness of NF exists among the surveyed population, significant gaps remain in understanding its etiology, rapid progression, and risk factors. Targeted educational interventions are essential to bridge these gaps, particularly among non-healthcare groups, to improve early recognition and reduce delays in treatment.