Awareness and Attitudes Toward Hemorrhoids Among Bisha Population, Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Hemorrhoids, awareness, knowledge, attitudes, Bisha, Saudi Arabia, cultural barriers, healthcare-seeking behaviorAbstract
This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward hemorrhoids among the adult population in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a validated questionnaire distributed to 240 participants, The results revealed a generally high level of awareness (mean score: 7.016/10), with 87.1% correctly defining hemorrhoids and 97.9% recognizing key preventive measures. However, significant gaps were identified, particularly in understanding causes specific to women (19.6% accuracy) and complications (60% accuracy). Attitudes toward seeking medical care were mixed, with 29.6% finding doctor visits embarrassing and 68.8% acknowledging cultural barriers as a deterrent, The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to address misconceptions, reduce stigma, and promote early medical consultation, tailored to the sociocultural context of Bisha.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Aigner, F. (2017). Hemorrhoids. In Coloproctology (pp. 37–46),Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Alamri, F., Alshehri, A., Alfaii, O., Alshehri, B., Alamri, F., Alshehri, A., & Al-Amer, M,S. (2021). Knowledge, attitude and practice of adults toward hemorrhoids in Asser region, Southern Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 5(1), 152–156.
Avsar, A,F., & Keskin, H. L. (2010). Haemorrhoids during pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 30(3), 231–237.
Carter, D., Beer-Gabel, M., Zbar, A., Segev, S., & Kopylov, U. (2013). Prevalence and clinical associations of hemorrhoids at screening colonoscopy. World Journal of Colorectal Surgery, 3(2), 1–10.
De Marco, S., & Tiso, D. (2021). Lifestyle and risk factors in hemorrhoidal disease,Frontiers in Surgery, 8, 729166.
Diaz, K. M., Duran, A,T., Colabianchi, N., Judd, S,E., Howard, V. J., & Hooker, S. P. (2019). Potential effects on mortality of replacing sedentary time with short sedentary bouts or physical activity: A national cohort study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(3), 537–544.
Elgadda, A., Alosaimi, N,R., Alotaibi, A,F., Ajosaiooli, A. J., Alosaimi, F,o., Alotaibi, A. A., & Alotaibi, H,D. (2019). Hemorrhoids: Knowledge of citizens about the disease. Unpublished manuscript.
Gallo, G., Martellucci, J., Sturiale, A,E., Clerico, G., Milito, G., Marino, F., et al. (2020),Consensus statement of the Italian society of colorectal surgery (SICCR): Management and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease,Techniques in Coloproctology, 24(2), 145–164.
Gami, B. (2011). Hemorrhoids: A common ailment among adults, causes and treatment – A review. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3(5), 5–13.
Goenka, M. K., Kochhar, R., Nagi, B., & Mehta, S. K. (1991),Rectosigmoid varices and other mucosal changes in patients with portal hypertension. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 86(9), 1185–1189.
Gutin, I. (2018). In BMI we trust: Reframing the body mass index as a measure of health,Social Theory & Health, 16(3), 256–271.
Hamdi, M., Al-Turki, Y., Almajnoni, R., Almasabi, A., & Alwafi, A. (2022). Knowledge, the extent of awareness and attitudes toward hemorrhoids in Makkah population, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 6(1), 80–85.
Huang, J., Gui, Y., Qin, H., & Xie, Y. (2023),Causal association between adiposity and hemorrhoids: A Mendelian randomization study,Frontiers in Medicine (Lausanne), 10, 1229925.
Johanson, J,F., & Sonnenberg, A. (1990),The prevalence of hemorrhoids and chronic constipation: An epidemiologic study. Gastroenterology, 98(2), 380–386.
Kibret, A. A., Oumer, M., & Moges, A. M. (2021). Prevalence and associated factors of hemorrhoids among adult patients visiting the surgical outpatient department in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 16(4), e0249736.
Kunnumakkara, A. B., Sailo, B. L., Banik, K., Harsha, C., Prasad, S., Gupta, S,C., et al. (2018),Chronic diseases, inflammation, and spices: How are they linked? Journal of Translational Medicine, 16, 14.
Lee, J. H., Kim, H,E., Kang, J. H., Shin, J. Y., & Song, Y. M. (2014),Factors associated with hemorrhoids in Korean adults: Korean national health and nutrition examination survey. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 35(5), 227–236.
Lohsiriwat, V. (2012). Hemorrhoids: From basic pathophysiology to clinical management. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 18(17), 2009–2017.
Lohsiriwat, V. (2016). Anorectal emergencies. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 22(26), 5867–5878.
Mazier, W. P. (1994). Hemorrhoids, fissures, and pruritus ani,Surgical Clinics of North America, 74(6), 1277–1292.
Misra, M,C., & Imlitemsu. (2005),Drug treatment of haemorrhoids,Drugs, 65(10), 1481–1491.
Morgado, P. J., Suárez, J. A., Gómez, L. G., & Morgado, P. J. Jr. (1988). Histoclinical basis for a new classification of hemorrhoidal disease,Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 31(6), 474–480.
Olędzka, A. J., & Czerwińska, M,E. (2023),Role of plant-derived compounds in the molecular pathways related to inflammation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24, 4666.
Palumbo, V,D., Tutino, R., Messina, M., Santarelli, M., Nigro, C., Lo Secco, G., et al. (2023). Altered gut microbic flora and haemorrhoids: Could they have a possible relationship? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(9), 2198.
Park, J. H., Moon, J. H., Kim, H. J., Kong, M. H., & Oh, Y. H. (2020),Sedentary lifestyle: Overview of updated evidence of potential health risks. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 41(6), 365–373.
Rayzah, M. (2018). Knowledge and practice of hemorrhoid among adult population in Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, 81–89.
Riss, S., Weiser, F. A., Schwameis, K., Riss, T., Mittlböck, M., Steiner, G., & Stift, A. (2012),The prevalence of hemorrhoids in adults. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 27(2), 215–220.
Riss, S., Weiser, F. A., Schwameis, K., Mittlböck, M., & Stift, A. (2011). Haemorrhoids, constipation and faecal incontinence: Is there any relationship? Colorectal Disease, 13(s3), e227–e233.
Salgueiro, P., Caetano, A,C., Oliveira, A. M., Rosa, B., Mascarenhas-Saraiva, M., Ministro, P., et al. (2020). Portuguese society of gastroenterology consensus on the diagnosis and management of hemorrhoidal disease. GE – Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology, 27(2), 90–102.
Sandler, R,S., & Peery, A,F. (2019),Rethinking what we know about hemorrhoids,Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 17(1), 8–15.
Sheikh, P., Régnier, C., Goron, F., & Salmat, G. (2020),The prevalence, characteristics and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease: Results of an international web-based survey. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 9(17), 1219–1232.
Sun, Z., & Migaly, J. (2016),Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management,Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, 29(1), 22–29.
Talley, N. J., Lasch, K. L., & Baum, C. L. (2009). A gap in our understanding: Chronic constipation and its comorbid conditions,Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 7(1), 9–11.
Thapa, S., & Author, C. (2019). Awareness regarding haemorrhoids among clients attending at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 8(3), 40–43.
Vivarelli, M., Montalti, R., & Risaliti, A. (2013). Multimodal treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis: An update. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 19(44), 7316–7326.
Wald, A. (2003),Constipation, diarrhea, and symptomatic hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 32(2), 309–322.
Yamana, T. (2018). Japanese practice guidelines for anal disorders I: Hemorrhoids. Journal of the Anus, Rectum and Colon, 1(3), 89–99.
Yu, M., Shang, Y., Han, L., & Yu, X. (2024). Bowel habits, obesity, intestinal microbiota and their influence on hemorrhoidal disease: A Mendelian randomization study,Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 17, 157–164.
Zagriadskiĭ, E. A., Bogomazov, A. M., & Golovko, E. B. (2018),Conservative treatment of hemorrhoids: Results of an observational multicenter study. Advances in Therapy, 35(11), 1979–1992.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
