Perception, attitude, and beliefs of Saudi population concerning nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and role of diet in Riyadh region

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the perception, attitude, and beliefs of Saudi population towards nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, an online questionnaire was used that was distributed via social media platforms. Details of participants regarding sex, marital status, place of residence, socioeconomic status were obtained. Further, the association of knowledge with age, sex, and level of education was also measured. Results: In total, 397 participants were recruited. Among them, only 40 (10.08%) were diagnosed with NAFLD, and 27 (6.80%) had heard about NAFLD from their physicians; however, 315 (79.35%) individuals were aware regarding cirrhosis. Hepatitis B and C was considered the primary cause of cirrhosis, as perceived by 187 (47.10%) participants, while 131 (33%) participants associated it with alcohol consumption. Approximately 20% participants perceived that NAFLD transferred from generation to generation via genes. Overall, 282 (71.03%) participants agreed that dietary habits could affect disease control patterns, whereas 33% associated it with diabetes. Conclusion: There was a knowledge gap concerning NAFLD, even though patients acknowledged that lifestyle modifications are the primary therapy for the disease. The two factors that consistently aided and hindered lifestyle changes were the availability of social support and competing medical comorbidities.