THE IMPACT OF HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMS ON THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES IN SAUDI ARABIA: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES

RESUMO

Atef Eid Madkour Elsayed*, Sara Ibraheem Aljuhani, Ahmed Al-Talib, Abdulaziz Mansour Alghamdi, Lina sultan Alhazmi, Ghadi sultan, Saeed Abdullah S Bamakhrama, Leen Alhodathi, Hanin Alhodathi, Areen, Amer ALenezi, Ghaida Abdulrehman, Salem Mansour Abokhanjar, Mohammad Ali A ALshahrani10

Background: Chronic diseases (non-communicable diseases, NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia, where they account for 88.5% of total deaths. The increasing prevalence of NCDs is driven by factors such as urbanization, aging populations, and unhealthy lifestyles. Health awareness programs play a crucial role in promoting disease prevention and reducing the burden of chronic conditions. However, the effectiveness of such programs in Saudi Arabia has not been comprehensively evaluated. This study aims to assess public awareness of chronic disease prevention and the impact of health awareness initiatives on disease prevalence in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study was conducted using a stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. Data were collected through an online questionnaire developed by the Saudi Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Disease Center. The survey assessed demographic characteristics and knowledge of NCD prevention. A total of 3,200 adult participants from urban and rural regions completed the survey. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, was performed using SPSS 23.0 to identify factors influencing chronic disease awareness.

Results: The overall awareness level of chronic disease prevention among participants was 67.8%. Higher awareness was significantly associated with urban residency (p < 0.01) and higher education levels (p < 0.01). Gender differences were observed, with 34.5% of females demonstrating high awareness compared to 26.9% of males. Awareness levels also varied across age groups, with younger adults (18–30 years) exhibiting higher knowledge compared to older participants (>60 years).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of health awareness programs in improving public knowledge of NCD prevention. While current initiatives have contributed to increased awareness, disparities based on education, location, and age suggest the need for targeted interventions. Strengthening community-based prevention strategies and expanding public education campaigns could enhance health literacy and contribute to reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia.