Journal Article

Assessing Public Awareness and Social Acceptance of Scoliosis Screening and Treatment Options in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Alsuwaidan, Sarah Essa, Alsiddiky, Abdulmonem, Almawash, Abdullah Nasser, Alhomaidhi, Sara, Alshobaki, Mayssar Bassam, Alomrani, Abdulmalik A, Alqifari, Mohammed Khalid, AlNahari, Abdulaziz S, Aldawsari, Mohammed N, Aldaijy, Maha Emad, Alateeq, Naif

2025

Overview

Scoliosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder that remains underrecognized in Saudi Arabia, where limited public awareness may delay early detection and treatment. This study assessed public knowledge, support for school-based screening, and attitudes toward treatment. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2025 Saudi National Scoliosis Awareness Campaign through public venues and online platforms. A culturally adapted questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, symptom recognition, treatment preferences, barriers, and information sources. A total of 2055 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. While 70.9% of participants had heard of scoliosis, only 18.1% reported good understanding. Symptom recognition was limited, with spinal curvature, back pain, and uneven shoulders most often identified. Most respondents supported school-based screening (88.2%) and early detection (92.1%), with a mean preferred screening age of 8 years. Bracing (64.3%) and surgery (53.5%) were more accepted than observation (30.5%), though concerns about pain, effectiveness, and appearance were frequent. Social media was the most common initial information source (34.6%), while healthcare professionals were the preferred future source (79.2%). Reported barriers included lack of awareness (68.2%), difficulty accessing specialists (19.9%), and cost (8.9%). Public support for school-based screening is strong, but baseline knowledge remains limited, and treatment perceptions are shaped by psychosocial and cultural concerns. National campaigns, school curricula, and healthcare-led education, combined with accessible, low-cost screening, may enhance early detection and improve scoliosis management in Saudi Arabia.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Age / Attitudes / Back pain / Backache / Care and treatment / Diagnosis / Health attitudes / Health care / Health literacy / Information sources / Knowledge / Medical personnel / Medical screening / Patient compliance / Perceptions / Physical therapy / Questionnaires / Scoliosis / Social aspects / Social media / Social networks / Stigma / Surgery / Surveys