Public awareness of keratoconus and its association with eye rubbing behavior: a population-based study in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal disorder with potentially severe visual implications. Elucidating public awareness and the associated risk factors is imperative for the early detection and development of preventive strategies. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of KC awareness and its association with eye-rubbing behavior among the general population in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 adults in Jazan Province using a self-administered online questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, KC awareness, ocular care practices, and associated risk factors. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the associations between variables. Results: The study population comprised 65.9% males and 34.1% females, with 47.9% aged 18–30. Most participants (95.1%) were Saudi nationals, and 72% held a bachelor\'s degree or higher. Only 28% of participants demonstrated adequate awareness of KC. Males exhibited significantly higher awareness (32.1%) than females (18.8%, p = 0.003). University students in health-related fields displayed the highest awareness (52.7%, p = 0.0001). Individuals with visual problems or eye diseases (33.8%, p = 0.005) and a family history of KC (40.7%, p = 0.021) demonstrated enhanced awareness. Lectures/reading (17.2%) and social media (16.5%) were the primary sources of KC information, whereas healthcare professionals were the least cited sources (6.8%). Notably, 72.2% of the participants reported eye-rubbing behavior, with 62.6% citing itching as the primary reason. High sun exposure was reported by 56.2% of participants, but only 61.1% utilized protective eyewear. Additionally, 39.4% of the participants reported having allergies, with ocular allergies being the most prevalent (44.3% of those with allergies). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a notable deficiency in KC awareness within Jazan Province, which is concomitant with a high incidence of eye rubbing and suboptimal sun protection practices. These observations emphasize the critical necessity for targeted public health interventions to enhance awareness of KC and promote improved ocular care practices in the region, with particular emphasis on high-risk populations and the utilization of efficacious information dissemination channels.