Abstract

Background: Rheumatic fever (RF) is an autoimmune disease associated with group A-β-hemolytic streptococcal infection, in the course of which the patient develops carditis, arthritis, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and erythema marginatum. The present study aims to evaluate knowledge, awareness, and attitude of the Saudi population toward RF. Methodology: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to May 2017. The questionnaire included a total of 19 questions. Sixteen were close-ended questions and 3 were openended questions. After excluding incomplete questionnaires, data of 1,596 participants were obtained and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 22. Results: A total of 1,596 respondents completed the questionnaire. The respondents were from all the regions of Saudi Arabia. Regarding age, the participants were classified into four groups, most of them (60.7%) were aged between 18 and 30 years. More than half of them (55.8%) were females. Regarding occupation; 38% of participants were educated. The knowledge and attitude about RF among our participants was 70%. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between; knowledge regarding age, gender, occupation, and attitude regarding age, gender, and accommodation and practice regarding age and occupation. Conclusion: Levels of knowledge, attitude, and awareness of RF were high when compared with other studies reported. Age, gender, and occupation were significant factors for knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding RF.

Key words: Rheumatic fever, Saudi Arabia.