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Assessing Knowledge and Awareness of Scoliosis Among Adults in the Najran Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that may affect posture, function, and, in severe cases, cardiopulmonary function. Community knowledge may contribute to early recognition, appropriate clinical assessment, and timely referral. This study aimed to describe item-level knowledge and awareness of scoliosis among adults recruited in the Najran region and to explore associations between the investigator-defined knowledge score and selected measured participant characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults recruited in the Najran region, Saudi Arabia, using a self-administered online questionnaire. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. Of 508 collected responses, 39 respondents who reported not residing in the Najran region were excluded in accordance with the eligibility criteria, resulting in a final analytic sample of 469 participants. The investigator-developed questionnaire was reviewed by a consultant pediatric orthopedic surgeon and pilot-tested among 20 individuals who were not included in the final analysis. An investigator-defined knowledge score was calculated, and a score of >50% (≥10/18 points) was operationally classified as good knowledge. RESULTS: A total of 469 eligible participants were analyzed. Most participants had a university education (69.7%), and 13.2% reported a family history of scoliosis. Correct identification of scoliosis as a deviation of the spine from its normal position was reported by 77.8% of participants, while 67.0% identified radiographic imaging as a diagnostic method. The investigator-defined knowledge score had a median of 8 (IQR, 5-11), with observed scores ranging from 0 to 17. Using the exploratory >50% cutoff (≥10/18 points), 179 participants (38.2%) were categorized as having good knowledge and 290 (61.8%) as having poor knowledge. No statistically significant associations were detected between knowledge category and the measured participant characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Among the surveyed participants, important item-level gaps in knowledge and awareness of scoliosis were identified. The investigator-defined composite knowledge classification should be interpreted cautiously because the questionnaire and scoring threshold were not formally validated. The findings identify potential targets for educational initiatives, while future studies using validated instruments and more representative sampling methods are needed to confirm these findings.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.116794