Public perception of common Ear, Nose, and Throat-related diseases in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Ear, nose, and throat (ENT)-related complaints are among the most frequent medical issues worldwide. Our objective was to evaluate the awareness level of, and attitudes toward, ENT-related diseases among residents of the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 by posting an online survey in Arabic on various social media platforms. The survey contained 23 questions to determine the participants' general knowledge about frequent ENT-related issues. Results: The study involved 420 participants. Most participants (82.1%) had poor knowledge about ENT-related issues (score <50%). Regarding general knowledge, 64.0% of participants properly answered the safety of using cotton buds, and 35.2% correctly answered the question related to respiratory viral infections and antibiotic use. A minority of participants, 14.8% and 11.4%, correctly answered questions about the role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of the common cold and the difference between vertigo and dizziness, respectively. Most individuals had an acceptable level of knowledge regarding ear and hearing issues (score ≥50%). The most correctly answered question was the one related to smoking and laryngeal cancer (90.5%). The most commonly used information sources were society, websites, and ENT clinics. Conclusion: According to this study, poor knowledge about ENT-related complaints is frequent among individuals in the Makkah region. Furthermore, our results suggest increasing awareness and educating the community through community campaigns and awareness programs because the community was the main source of information for survey participants.