Awareness of the general population regarding the risk factors, management, and prevention of GERD in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of awareness, knowledge of risk factors, and understanding of treatment and prevention strategies related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among the general population in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between September 2023 and January 2024. The study included adults aged 18-70 years residing in Makkah. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographic information and participants' knowledge regarding GERD symptoms, risk factors, complications, and management. Results: A total of 410 individuals participated, with a majority being female (72.2%) and Saudi nationals (89.5%). Overall, 56.8% of the participants demonstrated a poor level of awareness regarding GERD. Significant associations were found between awareness levels and gender (p-value = 0.000011) and nationality (p-value = 0.022), with female and Saudi participants showing higher awareness. Other demographic variables, including age, marital status, education level, and income, were not significantly associated with awareness. Conclusion: The findings indicated a considerable lack of public awareness about GERD in Makkah, particularly among male and non-Saudi residents. This underscores the urgent need for targeted health education programs and awareness campaigns to improve community understanding of GERD and its management.