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Background <p>Muscle weakness is a common health concern that can significantly affect quality of life. Understanding public awareness, perceptions, and healthcare-seeking behaviors is important for early detection and management. This study aimed to assess awareness, perceptions, and healthcare-seeking behaviors related to muscle weakness among Saudi adults.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,000 adults in Saudi Arabia between August and October 2025. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of muscle weakness, perceived causes and symptoms, attitudes toward treatment, and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine associations between demographic factors and awareness-related outcomes.</p> Results <p>A total of 1,000 participants completed the survey. Only 27.8% reported having heard of muscle weakness as a medical condition. Perceptions of susceptibility and severity as well as consequences showed considerable variability with uncertainty evident across most domains. Attitudes toward seeking medical advice and adopting preventive behaviors were mixed, with many participants expressing uncertainty or low likelihood of action. Although some respondents reported willingness to encourage others to seek care and to make lifestyle changes, a substantial proportion remained hesitant or unsure. Approximately one-third of participants reported personal or indirect experience with muscle weakness with impacts on daily life included increased dependence and frequent healthcare utilization. Statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of responses across knowledge, perception, attitude, and experience domains (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05 in selected items).</p> Conclusions <p>Among Saudi adults, there is substantial variability in perceptions, attitudes, and personal or indirect experience on muscle weakness as a medical condition. There are persistent gaps in health literacy and uncertainty regarding symptom recognition and severity appraisal or appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior. Accordingly, there is a need for targeted public health interventions to improve awareness and promote early recognition of muscle weakness through primary care services and trusted digital platforms.</p>

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Exploring perceptions, awareness, and healthcare-seeking behaviors related to muscle weakness among Saudi adults: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月3日

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  • Ahmed M. Ashour,
  • Ali M. Alshahrani,
  • Bader A. Alhazmi,
  • Aliah Alhayyan,
  • Rawan Alhayyan

摘要

Background

Muscle weakness is a common health concern that can significantly affect quality of life. Understanding public awareness, perceptions, and healthcare-seeking behaviors is important for early detection and management. This study aimed to assess awareness, perceptions, and healthcare-seeking behaviors related to muscle weakness among Saudi adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,000 adults in Saudi Arabia between August and October 2025. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of muscle weakness, perceived causes and symptoms, attitudes toward treatment, and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine associations between demographic factors and awareness-related outcomes.

Results

A total of 1,000 participants completed the survey. Only 27.8% reported having heard of muscle weakness as a medical condition. Perceptions of susceptibility and severity as well as consequences showed considerable variability with uncertainty evident across most domains. Attitudes toward seeking medical advice and adopting preventive behaviors were mixed, with many participants expressing uncertainty or low likelihood of action. Although some respondents reported willingness to encourage others to seek care and to make lifestyle changes, a substantial proportion remained hesitant or unsure. Approximately one-third of participants reported personal or indirect experience with muscle weakness with impacts on daily life included increased dependence and frequent healthcare utilization. Statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of responses across knowledge, perception, attitude, and experience domains (p < 0.05 in selected items).

Conclusions

Among Saudi adults, there is substantial variability in perceptions, attitudes, and personal or indirect experience on muscle weakness as a medical condition. There are persistent gaps in health literacy and uncertainty regarding symptom recognition and severity appraisal or appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior. Accordingly, there is a need for targeted public health interventions to improve awareness and promote early recognition of muscle weakness through primary care services and trusted digital platforms.