Awareness of Uterine Artery Embolization as a Treatment for Fibroids among Saudi Women

Abstract

Context: No study has investigated the awareness of uterine artery embolization (UAE) as a treatment option for uterine fibroids among Saudi women. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate Saudi women's awareness of UAE as a therapeutic modality for uterine fibroids Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Hail and Riyadh. Subjects and Methods: In 2019, an anonymous online questionnaire was sent via social media to women residing in Hail and Riyadh. The questionnaire contained 11 multiple-choice questions divided into two parts. The first part contained questions about demographic characteristics and one question about their history of fibroids. The second part contained items pertaining to awareness of treatment options for uterine fibroids and whether they were aware of UAE. Statistical Analysis Used: The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Eight hundred and forty-five responses have been received. Overall, 76.1% of the respondents had never heard of UAE. Awareness of treatment options for uterine fibroids was significantly associated with education level and participants' involvement in a medical field (P < 0.05; Chi-squared test). 9.2% were from respondents who reported a history of fibroids. Among them, 71.7% had never heard of UAE; 9% had heard about it from an obstetrician or gynecologist. Only 6.4% of the participants were aware of all the treatment options for uterine fibroids; 28.2% believed that hysterectomy was the only treatment for uterine fibroids. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for public awareness of the treatment options for uterine fibroids to appropriate candidates.