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<p>The wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases which include rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis creates substantial challenges for patients and healthcare providers especially in low- and middle-income regions. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, this online cross-sectional survey assessed people’s awareness of rheumatic diseases. 437 people between the ages of 18 and 80 received an online survey in Kurdish via social media platforms. Remarkably, 87.6% of those surveyed showed a lack of understanding regarding rheumatic conditions. Better awareness was significantly correlated with higher educational attainment (64.8% awareness among postgraduates, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), regular physical activity (63.7% awareness, <i>p</i> = 0.01), and a family history of rheumatic diseases (62.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.032). On the other hand, lower awareness was associated with being married (47.5% awareness, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), smoking (42.2% for current smokers, <i>p</i> = 0.028), drinking alcohol (32.1% among occasional drinkers, <i>p</i> = 0.016), and not exercising (44.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.01). Widespread misconceptions were also exposed by the survey, with 53.3% unsure about the inadequacy of herbal remedies as stand-alone treatments and 47.1% thinking orthopedic physicians are the main providers for rheumatic diseases. Notably, even among respondents with higher levels of education, there were still notable awareness gaps. These results highlight the critical need for focused public health education to dispel myths, raise disease literacy, and encourage early detection and healthcare-seeking behavior. To improve rheumatic disease outcomes in the area, culturally relevant awareness campaigns must be put into place, and awareness trends must be tracked over time.</p>

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The level of awareness and predictors about rheumatic diseases in Kurdistan region-Iraq: an online community-based survey

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月23日

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  • Gasheen Hawezy,
  • Kochr Ali Mahmood,
  • Shwan Kader Media,
  • Sirwan Khalid Ahmed

摘要

The wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases which include rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis creates substantial challenges for patients and healthcare providers especially in low- and middle-income regions. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, this online cross-sectional survey assessed people’s awareness of rheumatic diseases. 437 people between the ages of 18 and 80 received an online survey in Kurdish via social media platforms. Remarkably, 87.6% of those surveyed showed a lack of understanding regarding rheumatic conditions. Better awareness was significantly correlated with higher educational attainment (64.8% awareness among postgraduates, p < 0.001), regular physical activity (63.7% awareness, p = 0.01), and a family history of rheumatic diseases (62.5%, p = 0.032). On the other hand, lower awareness was associated with being married (47.5% awareness, p < 0.001), smoking (42.2% for current smokers, p = 0.028), drinking alcohol (32.1% among occasional drinkers, p = 0.016), and not exercising (44.8%, p = 0.01). Widespread misconceptions were also exposed by the survey, with 53.3% unsure about the inadequacy of herbal remedies as stand-alone treatments and 47.1% thinking orthopedic physicians are the main providers for rheumatic diseases. Notably, even among respondents with higher levels of education, there were still notable awareness gaps. These results highlight the critical need for focused public health education to dispel myths, raise disease literacy, and encourage early detection and healthcare-seeking behavior. To improve rheumatic disease outcomes in the area, culturally relevant awareness campaigns must be put into place, and awareness trends must be tracked over time.