Assessing the knowledge and awareness of the Taif community about genetic diseases

Abstract

Background: Diseases have a genetic basis, wherein changes in the human deoxyribonucleic acid and variances in its activities, which the environment may influence, contribute to disease processes. The risk of developing a disease is higher for people with genetic susceptibility when other risk factors such as lifestyle and environmental factors are present besides genetic change. The Taif community's attitudes toward genomes and their awareness are not well documented. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness about genomes among Taif residents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 361 participants residing in Taif city, Saudi Arabia, using a pretested questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire collected participants' sociodemographic information and the second part measured the awareness and knowledge related to genetics and diseases. Results: All responses were subjected to statistical analysis. Among the studied subjects, 6.6% of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of genetics and diseases and 45.7% had poor knowledge. 95.6% were aware of health problems caused by a combined effect of genetics, environment, and lifestyle; 83.7% agreed that genes play a role in disease processes; and 92.8% agreed that individuals with a family history of a particular disease could benefit from undergoing a genetic test for that disease. Conclusion: The study participants had inadequate knowledge, suggesting that more effort is required to educate them about the advantages and limitations of genetic testing on a social and personal level to ensure that people make well-informed decisions. The Saudi genome program is one among such programs targeting at educating the community.