Abstract

Background: Osteomyelitis (OM), a serious but rare condition, is a bone infection with bone marrow inflammation. It is difficult-to-cure infection with a high rate of relapse despite adequate treatment. Mostly, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are the causative organisms of OM. The infection could reach the bone from an adjacent open fracture or surgery wound or may spread through the blood from a distant body part to reach the bone. Thus, the aim of this study was to study the awareness level of OM among the adult population in
Sakaka city of Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia and to determine the relationship between socio-demographic data and level of awareness of OM.
Methodology: It was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted in Sakaka city of Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia on 420 adults. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire included questions about the socio-demographic factors and awareness of the adults about OM.
Results: Many adult males and females had an incomplete awareness of OM. However, those who were aware and their most common source of information about OM were from doctors or health care providers (20%).
Conclusion: More educational programs should be campaigned to improve knowledge about this serious disease.

Key words: Bone, bone marrow, osteomyelitis, Saudi Arabia, Staphylococcus aureus