Exploring the Saudi population’s knowledge of and attitude to food allergies: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Food allergies are a serious health condition involving an abnormal immune response to specific food allergens, leading to adverse reactions upon exposure. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of food allergies among the Saudi population by exploring various related topics.
Design: Data were collected via a bilingual (Arabic and English) online survey. The study enrolled 11 790 healthy adult participants; individuals who did not provide consent, those with allergies, and caregivers for allergy sufferers were excluded. The questionnaire, adapted from a previously validated survey, gathered demographic information and assessed
knowledge of and attitudes towards food allergies. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, and ethical guidelines were adhered to.
Results: All 11 790 participants completed the survey. The majority of respondents were female (77.8%) and of Saudi nationality (94.2%). Geographically, the highest participation rate was from the Western region (32.9%), while the lowest was from the Southern region (8.5%). Over half of the participants held a bachelor’s degree (62.8%). Knowledge levels varied across
different domains, with the highest scores observed in areas related to symptoms/severity and definition/diagnosis.
Conclusions: Enhancing public knowledge of food allergies is crucial, particularly concerning treatment options, management strategies, differentiating allergies from intolerances, and identifying risk factors. Therefore, implementing targeted educational programmes holds significant potential for improving overall public understanding and management of food allergies.

Keywords: Food allergy, Saudi population, Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs