Abstract
Background: Patients’ knowledge and awareness of their kidney status are essential in the early detection and identification, early referral and early management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted this study to determine CKD awareness in the general Saudi population.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of healthy Saudi adults 18 years old and above from two different public places in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between March and April 2018. A validated self-administered questionnaire assessing seven domains (anatomy, physiology, etiology, presentation, progression, treatment, and resources available) was used.
Results: Among the 438 respondents surveyed, 43 (9.8%) scored ≥ 6 points out of 7 maximum points for the overall knowledge score, 177 respondents (40.4%) scored a total of 4 and 5 out of 7 points for the total knowledge score, and 218 (49.8%) respondents scored below 4 points. The overall level of knowledge was significantly correlated with education and being employed. A higher level of knowledge was associated with a higher level of education (university level). Regression analysis showed that having less than a university degree was a significant factor in poor knowledge in six domains, including anatomy, physiology, etiology, progression, treatment, and available resources.
Conclusion: Knowledge of CKD in the Saudi population remains low. Only half of our surveyed respondents had sufficient knowledge and awareness of CKD. Knowledge of CKD tends to be lower among people who are less educated and unemployed. A strategic and targeted approach for information dissemination campaigns is needed to educate the general public, particularly those who are less educated and those in the unemployed sector of the community.

Key words: Chronic kidney disease, awareness, knowledge, risk, Saudi Arabia