Pancreatitis Prevention in Tabuk City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Evaluating Public Knowledge and Raising Awareness of Risk Factors and Symptoms

Introduction: Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a flat, elongated gland situated in the upper abdomen, beyond the stomach. It produces digestive enzymes and hormones that regulate glucose absorption in the body. Pancreatitis can be acute, developing rapidly and lasting for several days, or chronic, persisting over an extended period and affecting specific individuals. While treatment can improve mild cases of pancreatitis, severe cases can be fatal.

Method: This study utilizes a cross-sectional survey design with 549 participants, allowing data collection from a representative sample of Tabuk City's adult population.

Results: The participants' knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of pancreatitis was inadequate. Among those who did not receive any information about pancreatitis and its risk factors, the count was 352 (64.1%). On the other hand, there was increased awareness of pancreatitis and its risk factors, which would lead to early detection and prevention. A total of 483 participants (88%) expressed adequate agreement, and 305 participants (55.6%) demonstrated an adequate response regarding seeking medical attention if they experienced any symptoms of pancreatitis.

Conclusion: Our findings revealed a lack of knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of pancreatitis. Furthermore, there was inadequate awareness regarding governmental initiatives or programs that support access to pancreatitis knowledge and awareness in Tabuk City.